FIFA has signalled it has no intention of removing Iran from the 2026 World Cup, after a United States special envoy publicly lobbied for Italy to take the qualified nation’s place amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Paolo Zampolli, the US envoy for global partnerships, confirmed to the Financial Times this week that he had personally approached both President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the proposal. Zampolli, who is Italian-American, told the publication: “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
The plan is understood to be an effort to repair the relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured following the US president’s public attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Meloni called Trump’s remarks on the Pope “unacceptable,” prompting Trump to fire back and accuse her of lacking resolve on the Iran threat.
FIFA’s response was unambiguous. The governing body declined to formally comment on Zampolli’s request, instead pointing to a statement made by Infantino last week in which he said: “The Iranian team is coming, for sure. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified, and they’re actually quite a good team as well. They really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics.”
Iran’s football federation reinforced that position. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a rally in Tehran that the team is “preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup,” while adding that they remain “obedient to the decisions of the authorities.”
The proposal also drew swift and embarrassed rejection from Italian officials themselves. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi dismissed the idea as neither feasible nor appropriate, insisting that participation must be earned on the pitch. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, describing the suggestion as “shameful,” while Italian National Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio said he would be “offended” to see Italy enter a tournament it had not qualified for.
Iran secured a place at the expanded 48-team tournament through Asian Football Confederation qualifying, while Italy were eliminated in the UEFA play-off round, beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking their third failure to qualify in four World Cup cycles.
Notably, this is not the first time Zampolli has made such a request. Four years ago, when he served as a United Nations ambassador, he wrote to Infantino calling for Iran’s exclusion over human rights concerns and again suggested Italy as the replacement. That request was also ignored.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the tournament set to kick off in June.
