A US President Donald Trump, Paolo Zampolli, has asked FIFA, the governing body of world football, to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup.
Paolo Zampolli, the US special envoy, told the Financial Times (FT) that it would be a “dream” to see Italy, who has won the World Cup four times, at the finals in the US, Mexico, and Canada, even though they lost in a qualification playoff last month.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. 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,” Zampolli told the FT.
The media outlet said that the suggestion was an attempt to fix things between Trump and Giorgia Meloni after the Italian prime minister and president had a fight over the president’s comments about the Iran war and Pope Leo XIV.
Recall that the US-Iran war that started on February 28 between the US and Israel has made it unclear whether Iran will be able to play in the World Cup. However, In April, the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) said it was “negotiating” with FIFA to move the country’s World Cup games from the US to Mexico.
FIFA President Infantino also affirmed last month, while attending Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, that Iran will be at the World Cup and that they will play “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”.
Italy miss out on World Cup
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper that Italy missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their shock play-off exit came at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who held the four-time world champions to a 1-1 draw before triumphing 4-1 on penalties in Zenica. Italy had taken an early lead through Moise Kean, but their momentum collapsed after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off before halftime. Bosnia capitalised late on, equalising through Haris Tabakovic before holding their nerve in the shootout, condemning the Azzurri to an unwanted piece of history.
After Italy failed to make it to both Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, no prior tournament winner had missed three straight competitions.
Afterwards, Gennaro Gattuso, the Italian national team head coach, resigned.
