A remarkable diplomatic intervention has thrust Italian football back into the World Cup conversation, with a US special envoy confirming he has formally requested that FIFA replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s tournament.
Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-born Trump envoy, told the Financial Times that he has personally approached both Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino with the proposal.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli said. “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.”
Italy could be handed World Cup lifeline
According to the FT, the move is part of a broader effort to repair relations between Trump and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, following tensions that emerged amid the American president’s public attacks on Pope Leo XIV during the Iran conflict.
Iran’s participation in the tournament has been complicated by the country’s request for FIFA to relocate their matches from the United States to Mexico, citing the ongoing geopolitical situation. Iran issued a statement on Wednesday saying they remain prepared for the tournament and intend to participate, though their position is dependent on receiving a formal response from FIFA regarding the venue request.
The White House, FIFA, the FIGC and Iran’s football federation had not yet responded to requests for comment.
Italy missed out on the World Cup for a third consecutive time in March, losing their playoff final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties. Whether Zampolli’s intervention carries any real weight with FIFA, whose regulations make unilateral replacements of this nature highly complex, remains deeply uncertain.
I don’t want this. We got knocked out fair and square. Now people are being forced to introspect and improve. If we are allowed in anyway, Italy will lose its incentive to fix the rot.
Sad days when the only way they can get in is via the two corrupt dancing clowns in the picture above.
no i dont want thia to happen italy as so poor right now
why this world cup is controlled by politicians why Trump intervine in football if it was African countries was going to be banned, what is so special for trump being respected by Fifa
@Ferban…the real corrupt clowns are Ceferin and Infantino. WC ticket prices have increased 10X.
Corrupt UEFA changed the qualification system for $.
The real scandsl is when Sweden finished dead last in their qualifying group yet still “qualifies” through the ridiculous nations league.
@Vittorio
Infantino is one of them in the picture. Crooked as a dog’s hind leg. The less said about the Orange One, the better.
Sweden had their play-off place before the qualifiers. It’s not ideal, but better to have somewhat competitive NL games over pointless friendlies.
Denmark came of the beach and won the Euros due to war, Italy may not win the World Cup, but should take the opportunity to participate if offered, no moral qualms, did Sweden deserve to qualify
Zampolli??? The guy all over the Epstein files as a procurer for these demented people? No thanks
No Malik. We’re out. Time to rebuild
I’m Iranian and this would be a scandal and anything but goid for Italian football, which I’m fan of! World must support Iran’s participation as they QUALIFIED on field. Otherwise it would be a real shame and will discredit WC regardless of who is running it.
Viva Iran.
Forza Italian people
I’m Iranian and this would be a scandal and anything but goid for Italian football, which I’m fan of! World must support Iran’s participation as they QUALIFIED on field. Otherwise it would be a real shame and will discredit WC regardless of who is running it.
Viva Iran.
Forza Italian people
@Ferban..Trump defends our nation’s interests. Perhsps if European Nations dud the same they could actually defend themselves from global threats.
The NL is only a $ grabbing ploy. No way should a team qualify finishing dead last in their qualification group.
Oh Vittorio…you poor sycophant. The typical uneducated Italian-American. I feel sorry for you. Dump doesn’t protect anyone’s interest but his own. IRAN so far away from the E-Files. lol
Don’t bring that propaganda here. We see right through it.
@PL…your uneducated understanding of geopolitics reveals ALL one needs to know.
Willfull ignorance is bliss…
@PL…making personal attacks is a sign of a losing argument. You might do well to learn the geopolitics of the middle east before commenting.
Actually this speculative lobbying. The country that should benefit is the U.A.E.. Like for like from same regional conference.
These articles need to stop. Italy did not qualify. Iran did and will participate in WC no matter what is said on both sides. Politics is ruining sports.
Vitto, it’s your gaslighting that reveals ALL one needs to know. Since you claim to know geopolitics, I don’t need to name drop, but to let EVERYONE else know the truth, the US has put Europe in this position. It has always acted as a global security guarantor. For the past 70 years, the U.S. has allowed others to forego military spending under its protection, so it could write Europe’s foreign policy. Think of the USSR/Russia in case I lost you. With your fearless leader’s erratic behavior, the current, unfolding reality is a chaotic withdrawal, requiring other nations to build their own defense capabilities rather than relying on the U.S.
You see? This is YOUR doing.