'Italia at the World Cup instead of Iran': the idea of Trump's envoy

Italia in the 2026 World Cup instead of Iran. This is the request made by Donald Trump's envoy, Paolo Zampolli, to Fifa, explaining that the four World Championships won by the Azzurri justify the exchange. According to the Financial Times, the plan is an 'effort to mend ties between Trump and premier Giorgio Meloni' after the president's attacks on the Pope over the war in Iran.

"I confirm that I suggested to Trump and Infantino that Iran should replace Italia at the World Cup. I am Italian, it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at the World Cup in the United States. With four titles, the Azzurri have the pedigree to justify inclusion,' Zampolli told the Financial Times. Iran, however, has made it known in the last few hours that they are ready for the tournament in June and intend to participate.

In March, Tehran had said it would not participate following the assassination of Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel, citing security reasons for its athletes in the States. Iran had then floated the idea of playing in Canada or Mexico, but was rejected by FIFA. Trump had said that Iranian players were 'welcome' in the United States, but did not hide the fact that it would be inappropriate and potentially dangerous for them. Fifa did not comment on the lobbying attempts and merely referred to recent statements by Gianni Infantino.

"The Iranian team will definitely come," he said last week in Washington. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be peaceful. That would certainly help," he added.

"But Iran must come if it intends to represent its people. It has qualified, it really wants to play and it has to play,' he stressed.