Middle East Tensions Affect World Cup; US Envoy Reportedly Suggests Italy Replace Iran
Amidst the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran, a US envoy proposed to FIFA that Italy replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup, reportedly as a move to mend President Trump's relations with Italian PM Meloni.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 14:21
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Central News Agency
(CNA Washington 22nd, General Foreign Wire) The UK's Financial Times reported today that a senior envoy for US President Trump has requested FIFA to consider allowing the Italian team to replace the Iranian team in the upcoming World Cup.
US Envoy Paolo Zampolli confirmed in an interview with the Financial Times: "I have suggested to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup."
He said: "I am of Italian descent, and seeing the Azzurri play in a tournament hosted by the US has always been a dream. Italy has 4 championships, proving they are qualified to participate."
Reuters, quoting the Financial Times, noted that sources revealed this move is aimed at repairing the relationship between Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni has been one of Trump's closest allies in Europe. Even when Trump made highly controversial moves, such as threatening to take Greenland from Denmark by force or launching airstrikes on Iran, Meloni mostly avoided public criticism.
However, Trump's recent attacks on comments made by Pope Leo XIV regarding the Iranian war caused a rift between him and Meloni.
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
The Italian national team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout in the World Cup European playoff finals last month, failing to secure one of Europe's 16 tickets, missing the finals for the third consecutive time.
The Iranian national team successfully qualified for the World Cup last year, being one of the 8 advancing teams from the AFC, making the finals for the 4th consecutive time. However, after the war broke out with the US and Israel in late February this year, Iran requested FIFA to move their three group stage matches from the US to Mexico. This idea was rejected by FIFA.
Infantino stated last month that all matches will proceed as scheduled, while promising to assist teams in preparing for the World Cup.
Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran today: "We are preparing for the World Cup and making arrangements, but ultimately we will obey the decisions of the relevant authorities." He said: "The current resolution is that the national team will fully prepare for the World Cup."
If the Iranian government ultimately decides to withdraw, according to Article 6 of the World Cup regulations, the decision of which country will fill the vacancy lies with FIFA, which is free to choose any nation.
It is expected that the AFC will actively campaign for an Asian country to fill the spot, with the most likely team being the United Arab Emirates, which lost to Iraq in the playoff qualifiers last November.
Compared to Italy, which is ranked 12th in the world and is the highest-ranked non-participating football powerhouse, the UAE has only reached the finals once in 1990, losing all three matches.
This World Cup is co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, and is scheduled to open on June 11. Iran's first match is set against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. (Translation: Tsai Chia-min) 1150423
(CNA Washington 22nd, General Foreign Wire) The UK's Financial Times reported today that a senior envoy for US President Trump has requested FIFA to consider allowing the Italian team to replace the Iranian team in the upcoming World Cup.
US Envoy Paolo Zampolli confirmed in an interview with the Financial Times: "I have suggested to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup."
He said: "I am of Italian descent, and seeing the Azzurri play in a tournament hosted by the US has always been a dream. Italy has 4 championships, proving they are qualified to participate."
Reuters, quoting the Financial Times, noted that sources revealed this move is aimed at repairing the relationship between Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni has been one of Trump's closest allies in Europe. Even when Trump made highly controversial moves, such as threatening to take Greenland from Denmark by force or launching airstrikes on Iran, Meloni mostly avoided public criticism.
However, Trump's recent attacks on comments made by Pope Leo XIV regarding the Iranian war caused a rift between him and Meloni.
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
The Italian national team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout in the World Cup European playoff finals last month, failing to secure one of Europe's 16 tickets, missing the finals for the third consecutive time.
The Iranian national team successfully qualified for the World Cup last year, being one of the 8 advancing teams from the AFC, making the finals for the 4th consecutive time. However, after the war broke out with the US and Israel in late February this year, Iran requested FIFA to move their three group stage matches from the US to Mexico. This idea was rejected by FIFA.
Infantino stated last month that all matches will proceed as scheduled, while promising to assist teams in preparing for the World Cup.
Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran today: "We are preparing for the World Cup and making arrangements, but ultimately we will obey the decisions of the relevant authorities." He said: "The current resolution is that the national team will fully prepare for the World Cup."
If the Iranian government ultimately decides to withdraw, according to Article 6 of the World Cup regulations, the decision of which country will fill the vacancy lies with FIFA, which is free to choose any nation.
It is expected that the AFC will actively campaign for an Asian country to fill the spot, with the most likely team being the United Arab Emirates, which lost to Iraq in the playoff qualifiers last November.
Compared to Italy, which is ranked 12th in the world and is the highest-ranked non-participating football powerhouse, the UAE has only reached the finals once in 1990, losing all three matches.
This World Cup is co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, and is scheduled to open on June 11. Iran's first match is set against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. (Translation: Tsai Chia-min) 1150423