Italy rejects Trump envoy’s proposal to take Iran’s place in World Cup 2026 World Cup 2026 News

Italian government officials have hit back at suggestions that their national soccer team could still be sent to the 2026 World Cup even if already qualified Iran does not compete in the finals.

Since the United States-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28, Iran’s participation in this summer’s edition of FIFA’s global showpiece is in doubt because all of the country’s group stage matches will be played in the US.

The tournament is co-hosted by Canada and Mexico along with the USA, leading to suggestions that Iran’s matches could be played at alternative venues.

Speculation about Iran’s participation is rife, with officials from both Iran and the US weighing in on the subject, including US President Donald Trump.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Iran’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said all necessary arrangements for the team’s effective participation in the tournament had been ensured by the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

However, a Trump envoy was quoted as suggesting that Italy, which failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive edition, should replace Iran at this year’s World Cup.

Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American who is a US envoy for global relations, told the Financial Times that he made the proposal to both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“I’m an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a tournament hosted by the US. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” said Zampolli, who has no official affiliation with the World Cup or Italian soccer.

The plan appears to be an attempt by Zampolli to mend ties after Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni fell out amid the US leader’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.

However, the proposal did not come from Trump or anyone within his administration.

Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi slammed the idea, saying “it’s not appropriate… You qualify on the field,” while economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the concept as “disgraceful.”

The suggestion also prompted embarrassment from Azzurri fans, with Italian media reminding readers that the idea has a very familiar feel.

Italy’s main sports news sites gave the story only a passing reference, but politicians and officials were quick to dismiss the idea.

“First of all, I don’t think it’s possible,” said Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee. “Secondly, I would feel insulted. To go to the World Cup, you have to earn it.”

Leading Italian coach Gianni De Biasi told Reuters it was an unlikely proposition, with any theoretical Iranian absence logically having to be filled by the team behind them in the qualifiers.

“Furthermore, I believe Italy does not need Trump’s support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own,” he said.

David Aganzo, president of Spain’s Association of Football Players and former head of global players’ union FIFPRO, was a little more cautious, saying: “People who want to go to the World Cup have to earn their place on sporting merit. We all agree on that, and we’re going to make that clear to FIFA.

“But let’s look at the issues involved, as there may be different perspectives or situations in this regard that we may not be aware of.”

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA responded by pointing to Infantino’s previous comments about Iran’s participation.

“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” he told last week’s CNBC Invest in America Forum: “They really want to play, and they have to play. Sports have to be outside of politics.”

Italy misses out on the third successive World Cup

There is currently no suggestion that Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament, which Italy missed out on after losing in a play-off for the third World Cup in a row.

Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup last year, but after the start of the war requested that FIFA move the team’s three group matches from the US to Mexico – a proposal that was rejected.

Iran is apparently proceeding as planned. “We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obeying the decisions of the authorities,” Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.

Four years ago, when he was a United Nations ambassador, Zampolli wrote to Infantino saying that “the world is demanding” that he disqualify Iran because of the country’s poor human rights record. I then suggested that the team be replaced with Italy.

The request was ignored as Iran took part and went out after the group stage, having lost to England and the USA and beaten Wales.

In the seemingly unlikely scenario of Iran being ruled out, the decision on who will replace them rests in the hands of FIFA, which, under Article Six of the World Cup regulations, has the freedom to call up any nation it chooses.

The Asian Football Confederation is expected to push hard for the replacement to come from Asia, with the United Arab Emirates, who lost a qualifying play-off against Iraq last November, the obvious choice.

The World Cup kicks off on June 11 with Iran kicking off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.