RismadarVoice Reporters, April 23, 2026
A senior envoy linked to U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly urged FIFA to consider replacing Iran with Italy at the upcoming World Cup, according to a Financial Times report.
The suggestion, attributed to U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli, is said to have been made in discussions involving Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The proposal, the report claims, was also framed as part of broader diplomatic efforts involving Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Zampolli was quoted as saying he believed Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, would be a fitting addition to the tournament, particularly given its historical pedigree and status in international football. The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have not publicly responded to the claims.
The report comes amid ongoing political tensions referenced in relation to Iran’s participation in the tournament. Iran secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup but has reportedly raised concerns about match logistics in light of regional instability, including requests to adjust venues for group-stage fixtures.
FIFA president Infantino has previously indicated that preparations for the tournament remain on schedule and that all qualified teams are expected to compete as planned.
Under FIFA regulations, any replacement of a qualified team would fall under the governing body’s authority, though such a move would typically involve confederation considerations. Iran competes under the AFC, while Italy is part of UEFA, making a direct substitution highly irregular under standard qualification procedures.
Italy, a traditional football powerhouse, has notably failed to qualify for the last two editions of the World Cup, adding to the debate over its absence from recent tournaments. Meanwhile, Iran’s qualification and participation status remain officially unchanged at this stage.
The World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to begin on June 11, with Iran set to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later, according to the current fixture list.
