According to the Financial Times, an envoy of the American president has reportedly requested Fifa to make this change.
A senior representative of President Donald Trump, Paolo Zampolli, has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the next World Cup, as reported by the Financial Times on Wednesday. This initiative aims to ease tensions between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, strained by the president’s attacks on Pope Leon XIV regarding the war in Iran, according to the American newspaper citing sources close to the matter.
“I confirm having suggested to Trump and (Gianni) Infantino (FIFA president) that Italy replaces Iran in the World Cup. I am Italian, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri participate in a tournament held in the United States. With four titles, they have the necessary credentials to justify their presence,” said Paolo Zampolli. Italy’s national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time after a defeat on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 4-1 penalty shootout) in the qualification playoff final. Iran had qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup last year but following the start of the war, they requested Fifa to relocate their three group stage matches from the US to Mexico.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino stated last month, during a visit to the Iranian team’s training camp in Turkey, that all matches will proceed as planned while offering assistance to the team for tournament preparation. “We are preparing and making necessary arrangements for the World Cup, but we respect the decisions of the authorities,” said Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), during a pro-government gathering in Tehran on Wednesday.
