Fresh debate has emerged around the 2026 World Cup after a special envoy to US President Donald Trump suggested that Iran should be replaced by Italy at the tournament.
The proposal, made by Paolo Zampolli, has drawn criticism and reopened discussion around politics and football.
According to reports by the Financial Times, Zampolli said it would be a “dream” to see Italy at the World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
He said he had suggested to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy be included in place of Iran, pointing to Italy’s rich football history and four World Cup titles.
His remarks came despite Italy failing to qualify after losing a playoff penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a third straight absence from the tournament. Zampolli argued that Italy’s pedigree could justify inclusion, though he did not explain how such a move would fit within FIFA rules.
Iran reacted sharply to the suggestion. The Iranian embassy in Rome dismissed the idea and said Italy had earned its football reputation on the pitch, not through political favors. It also accused the United States of showing “moral bankruptcy” by seeking to exclude Iran.
The debate comes as Iran’s participation has faced questions due to conflict involving the US and Israel. Earlier this year, Iran’s football federation said it had held talks with FIFA about possibly moving its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
However, FIFA has maintained that Iran remains part of the tournament. Gianni Infantino said last month that Iran would play where it is scheduled according to the draw, and he repeated the same position during a visit to Washington last week.
When asked about Zampolli’s proposal, FIFA pointed back to those comments, signaling no change in stance.
Reports also linked the suggestion to wider diplomatic efforts involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Trump, though no official connection has been confirmed.
This is not the first time Zampolli has pushed such an idea. In 2022, he similarly proposed Italy replace Iran at the Qatar World Cup, but FIFA did not act on it.
