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Even if Italy wants to participate in the World Cup this year, it will not come at the expense of Iran.
An envoy from the president Donald Trump reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in North America this summer. However, Italian sports officials rejected the idea, saying it was “not appropriate”.
“First, it’s not possible. Second, it’s not a good idea,” Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said on Thursday.
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Italy’s Moise Kean celebrates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (Photo agency/Getty Images)
“Qualification is done on the ground.”
Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, also rejected the idea of taking Iran’s place.
“I would feel offended,” Buonfiglio said. “You have to deserve to go to the World Cup.”
Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful”.
While Iran was among the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, Italy missed the tournament for the third time in a row, leading to the resignation of its national team coach and football federation president.
The Iranian national football team celebrated their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium in Tehran on March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
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The Financial Times reported that Trump’s envoy’s plan to replace Iran was an effort to repair relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which deteriorated after the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding the war with Iran.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social article last month that Iran would be welcome to participate in the World Cup as planned, although it might not be “appropriate” given the ongoing conflict.
Iran did not withdraw from the World Cup – the team is preparing to play in the United States despite the war in the Middle East – and FIFA insisted that its group stage matches near Los Angeles and Seattle go ahead as planned in June.
FIFA has consistently said Iran will stick to the World Cup schedule starting in December and has refused to negotiate any suggestions to move the team’s matches to co-host Mexico.
President Donald Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, December 5, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
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