Trump envoy asks FIFA to exchange Iran for Italy in the World Cup, says newspaper

Italy loses to Bosnia on penalties and is out of the World Cup for the third time in a row An envoy from Donald Trump’s government asked FIFA for Iran to be replaced by Italy in the World Cup. The information was published by the Financial Times newspaper this Wednesday (22). ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp According to the newspaper, the suggestion was made by special envoy Paolo Zampolli during a conversation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Sources told the FT that he argued that Italy’s four world titles would justify their presence at the tournament. In an interview with the newspaper, Zampolli confirmed that he made the suggestion to Trump and Infantino. “I’m Italian and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a US-based tournament. With four titles, there is enough to justify inclusion,” he said. FIFA declined to comment on the Trump administration’s suggestion, according to the FT. Italy in the European Qualifiers Playoff for the 2026 World Cup Reuters The report says that the suggestion is part of an attempt by the United States to rebuild relations with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. She and Trump exchanged barbs after the US president criticized Pope Leo XIV. Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, after losing the European play-offs to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iran secured a place in the World Cup in March 2025, through the Asian Qualifiers. The Iranian government even stated that the team would not participate in the tournament because of the war, but it backtracked. At the end of March, in an interview with AFP, Infantino stated that Iran will be at the World Cup. Last week, he said that he visited the Iranian team in Türkiye and that the team wants to compete in the tournament. “They must play. Sport must stay out of politics,” said Infantino. “Of course, we don’t live on the Moon, we live on planet Earth, but if there’s no one else who believes in building bridges and maintaining them, we’ll do it.” Iran asked FIFA to transfer the team’s matches to Mexico, which will also host games with the United States and Canada, but the request was denied. The Iranians’ debut will be against New Zealand, on June 15, in Los Angeles. VIDEOS: most watched on g1

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