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An envoy for President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup, set for this summer.
The Financial Times reported that the plan 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.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli was the one who proposed 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 on December 5, 2025. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA)
“I confirm that I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I am an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament,” Zampolli told the outlet. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pakinomist Digital.
Italy already had a chance to be in the World Cup, but they suffered a penalty shoot-out loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off qualifying final.
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Italy became the first World Cup-winning team to miss three consecutive tournaments after the 4-1 penalty shootout loss earlier this month.
“We still don’t believe it — that we’re out and that it happened this way,” Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola told reporters at the time, according to the New York Post. “It’s disturbing for everyone. For us, for our families and for all the kids who have never seen Italy at a World Cup.”
While Zampolli briefed Infantino on his proposed plan, the FIFA president said Iran will “definitely” play in the World Cup despite the conflict involving the United States
Mehdi Taremi of Iran 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 during the CNBC Invest in America Forum earlier this month in Washington, DC
“We hope that by then the situation will of course be a peaceful situation. That would certainly help. But Iran will of course come. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Infantino visited the Iranian national team in Turkey, where it has its training camp.
All three of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States. That 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 FIFA’s rejection of Iran’s request, insisting that Iran play where scheduled – SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field in Seattle. Iran said earlier this month that it would only decide on its team’s participation once they heard from FIFA about their relocation request.
Iran are scheduled to play at the SoFi Stadium against New Zealand on June 16 to begin their tournament. It will also play Belgium at the stadium before finishing the group stage against Mo Salah and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends an international friendly match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (Antonio Torres/FIFA/Getty Images)
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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 conflict.
“Iran’s national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there for their own lives and safety,” he wrote.
Trump also told Politico, “I really don’t care,” when asked about Iran’s participation in the tournament. Infantino, who has a strong relationship with Trump, said Trump has “reiterated” to him that the United States welcomes Iran’s team to compete.
