Italian Football Board declines Donald Trump's envoy's invite to replace Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, losing in the play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Image credits: Heute; licence details.)

One of US President Donald Trump's envoys has urged FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.

The US special envoy for global partnerships Paolo Zampolli claimed that it would be a dream to witness four-time World Cup winners Italy feature at the World Cup in the United States despite not being able to qualify for the tournament after they lost the playoffs final to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.

"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA President Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup," Zampolli said. (sic)

He added, "I'm an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.” (sic)

The Azzurri have lifted the World Cup four times but have missed out on qualifying for the tournament three times in a row. The last time they qualified, they finished bottom of their group back in 2014. Zampolli put this effort into restoring the ties between Donald Trump and the Italian PM Giorgia Melloni, who had a spat with the US President after his remarks on Pope XIV over the war waged in Iran.

Iran is set to participate in the World Cup this summer, and an Iranian government spokesperson admitted that the national team is preparing for the tournament and is proud to represent their nation on US soil. The Middle Eastern nation's participation had become a doubt after war broke out between the USA-Israel and Iran.

The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had negotiated with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. However, Gianni Infantino declined their demand and instructed Iran that they must play their games where they're scheduled to play. Back in 2022, Paoli Zampolli made a similar suggestion to replace Iran with Italy at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as a protest against their crackdowns against the peaceful protests in Iran against their regime.

FIFA and Italy slam Trump's envoy's proposal for the Azzurri to replace Iran at the FIFA World Cup this summer

FIFA has declined the proposal put forward by Donald Trump's envoy Paolo Zampolli to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. There have been growing doubts regarding Iran’s participation in the tournament following the war between the US and Israel and Iran. The international football governing body didn't comment on this officially, but President Gianni Infantino reassured that the Iranian national team will be coming to play the World Cup this summer.

The Iranian embassy slammed Zampolli’s suggestion and claimed that it highlights the USA’s moral bankruptcy. They posted, X; "Italy has earned its greatness in football on the pitch, not thanks to political privileges.” (sic)

It further added, “The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only reveals the 'moral bankruptcy' of the United States, which is afraid even of the presence of 11 young Iranians on the field of play.” (sic)

Italy's economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti slammed the decision put forward by Zampolli, labelling it ‘shameful’. The nation's sports minister Andrea Aboddi also condemned the proposal put forward by Trump's Italian-origin envoy. Abodi said, "Firstly, it is not possible; secondly, it is not appropriate. You qualify on the pitch.” (sic)

The Italian Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio also felt embarrassed with the suggestion made by Trump's envoy. He claimed that if it really happens, he would be ashamed and offended by it. He added, "In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it.” (sic)

As per FIFA rules, it has the sole discretion to decide what to do if a nation withdraws itself from the competition. Article six of this rule says that "The governing body may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.” (sic)

The remarks made by the Italian ministers have clearly made it clear that they won't replace Iran even if they pull out of the competition later or if they're excluded, as they didn't earn the right to play at the World Cup. The Iranian national team is set to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21. They will travel to Seattle to play their final group game against fellow Arab nation Egypt on June 26.

"We hope that by then the situation will be peaceful (one). That would definitely help. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people,” said the FIFA president. (sic)

“They have qualified, and they're actually quite a good team as well. They really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics,” he added. (sic)