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An envoy from President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup scheduled for this summer.
The Financial Times reported that the plan was aimed at repairing relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which deteriorated following the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding the war with Iran.
It was US special envoy Paolo Zampolli who suggested the idea to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, December 5, 2025. (Émilee Chinn/FIFA)
“I confirm that I suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I am of Italian origin and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a tournament organized by the United States,” Zampolli told the media outlet. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify their inclusion.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital.
Italy already had a chance to make the World Cup, but suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying final.
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Italy became the first World Cup winning team to miss three consecutive tournaments after losing 4-1 on penalties earlier this month.
“We still don’t believe it, that we are eliminated and that it happened this way,” Italian Leonardo Spinazzola told reporters at the time, according to the New York Post. “It’s devastating for everyone. For us, for our families and for all the children who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
As Zampolli informed Infantino of his plan, the FIFA president said Iran would “for sure” participate in the World Cup despite the conflict involving the United States.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium in Tehran on March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” Infantino said at the CNBC Invest in America forum earlier this month in Washington, DC.
“We of course hope that by then the situation will be peaceful. That would certainly help. But Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They are qualified. The players want to play.”
Infantino visited the Iranian national team in Türkiye, where its training camp is taking place.
All three of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States. This remains the case after Iranian government officials suggested to FIFA that their matches be moved to Mexico because they could not travel to the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed that FIFA had rejected Iran’s request and insisted that Iran play where it is scheduled to play: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field in Seattle. Iran said earlier this month it would only decide on its team’s participation after hearing from FIFA regarding its relocation request.
Iran is scheduled to play at SoFi Stadium against New Zealand on June 16 to begin their tournament. He will also face Belgium at the stadium before finishing the group match against Mo Salah and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an international friendly match between Mexico and Portugal at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (Antonio Torres/FIFA/Getty Images)
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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 conflict.
“The Iranian national football team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” he wrote.
Trump also told Politico, “I don’t really care,” when asked about Iran’s participation in the tournament. Infantino, who has a close relationship with Trump, said Trump “reiterated” to him that the United States welcomed the Iranian team to compete.
