WASHINGTON — A senior envoy to US president Donald Trump has proposed that Italy replace Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report published Wednesday.The Financial Times said the proposal was part of efforts to repair strained ties between Trump and Giorgia Meloni following recent tensions linked to the president’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.Paolo Zampolli told the newspaper he had suggested to Trump and Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the tournament.“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 was quoted as saying.Iran, however, said it is fully prepared for its national team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.Fatemeh Mohajerani told state broadcaster IRIB that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had completed all necessary arrangements to ensure the team’s effective participation.FIFA has not commented on the reported lobbying effort, but Infantino said last week that Iran is expected to compete.“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” he said at a conference in Washington.The White House and the US State Department declined to comment, the report added.WASHINGTON — A senior envoy to US president Donald Trump has proposed that Italy replace Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report published Wednesday.The Financial Times said the proposal was part of efforts to repair strained ties between Trump and Giorgia Meloni following recent tensions linked to the president’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.Paolo Zampolli told the newspaper he had suggested to Trump and Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the tournament.“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 was quoted as saying.Iran, however, said it is fully prepared for its national team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.Fatemeh Mohajerani told state broadcaster IRIB that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had completed all necessary arrangements to ensure the team’s effective participation.FIFA has not commented on the reported lobbying effort, but Infantino said last week that Iran is expected to compete.“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” he said at a conference in Washington.The White House and the US State Department declined to comment, the report added.
