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As much as Italy would like to be in this year’s World Cup, it will not come at the expense of Iran.
An envoy for the president Donald Trump reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in North America this summer. However, Italian sports officials shot down that 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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Moise Kean of Italy celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
“The qualification takes place on the field.”
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 insulted,” Buonfiglio said. “You have to deserve to go to the World Cup.”
Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful”.
While Iran was among the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, Italy missed out on a third consecutive tournament, resulting in the resignation of the country’s national coach and football federation president.
Iran’s national football team celebrated qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
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The Financial Times reported that the plan for Trump’s envoy to replace Iran is an attempt to repair relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was angered by the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV about the war with Iran.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last month that Iran would be welcome to compete in the World Cup as planned, although it may not be “appropriate” given the ongoing conflict.
Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup – the team is preparing to play in the US despite the war in the Middle East – and FIFA has insisted that their group stage matches near Los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 from December and refused to negotiate any proposal to move the team’s matches to co-host Mexico.
President Donald Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
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