Trump Envoy Floats Swapping Iran for Italy in World Cup

A Trump envoy's suggestion that Italy could take Iran's place in the World Cup was not welcomed by Italian lawmakers and sports officials. Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American businessman who serves as President Trump's special envoy for "Global Partnership," told the Financial Times he suggested to the idea both Trump and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament," he said. "With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion." After a defeat to Bosnia last month, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row. The tournament, which kicks off June 11, is being hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

In Italy, the idea landed with a shrug at best and scorn at worst, Reuters reports. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi dismissed it outright, saying it was neither possible nor proper, adding, "You qualify on the pitch." Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti labeled the notion "shameful," while veteran coach Gianni De Biasi noted that if Iran were somehow removed, the logical replacement would be the next team in their qualifying group. "I believe Italy doesn't need Trump's support on an issue like this," he said.

FIFA has effectively shut the door on the chatter. Asked about Iran's status last week, Infantino said, "The Iranian team is coming, for sure." Iran has qualified for its fourth straight World Cup and is preparing as normal, according to Iranian federation chief Mehdi Taj, though the country's request to move its games to Mexico has been rejected.

• Reuters notes that Zampolli, who has no official connection to the World Cup or Italian soccer, pushed a similar replacement scheme before the last World Cup, urging FIFA to boot Iran over its human-rights record and bring in Italy instead; FIFA ignored that request, and Iran played in Qatar as scheduled.
• Iran's embassy in Rome denounced the request in a post on X, saying Italy "has earned its greatness in football on the pitch, not thanks to political privileges," the BBC reports. "The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only reveals the 'moral bankruptcy' of the United States, which is afraid even of the presence of eleven young Iranians on the field of play," the embassy said.