Trump envoy wants Italy to replace Iran at World Cup: report

TL;DR

A Trump envoy has proposed that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup, despite Italy's recent failure to qualify. Paolo Zampolli expressed his desire to see Italy compete in the tournament hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Key points

Trump envoy suggests Italy replace Iran at the World Cup
Italy failed to qualify after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran's participation is uncertain due to ongoing conflict

Mentioned in this story

FIFAUnited StatesMexicoCanada

ItalyIranBosnia and HerzegovinaCosta Rica

Iran are scheduled to play their World Cup matches in the United States (Frederic J. Brown) (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/AFP) An envoy to US President Donald Trump has asked world football's governing body FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup, according to the Financial Times. US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT it would be a "dream" to see four-time World Cup winners Italy at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada despite the fact they lost in a qualification playoff last month. The suggestion was an effort to repair ties between Trump and Giorgia Meloni after the Italian prime minister fell out with the president after criticising his attack on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the newspaper reported. "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. 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," Zampolli told the FT. Italy missed out on the World Cup for the third successive time after losing a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Iran's participation in the World Cup has been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28. The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had said in April it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. But Infantino told AFP last month, while attending Iran's friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, that Iran will be at the World Cup and that they will play "where they are supposed to be, according to the draw". Zampolli is an Italian-American socialite, businessman and former modelling agent who claims to have introduced Trump to his current wife Melania Trump. gj/pi

Q&A

Why does the Trump envoy want Italy to replace Iran at the World Cup?

The envoy, Paolo Zampolli, believes that Italy's pedigree as four-time World Cup winners justifies their inclusion, especially to strengthen ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

What are the implications of Iran's participation in the World Cup amid the ongoing conflict?

Iran's participation is uncertain due to the war with the US and Israel, which has led to negotiations about relocating their matches from the US to Mexico.

How did Italy miss qualifying for the World Cup?

Italy missed qualification after losing a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament.