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Less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, a proposal originating from the circle of U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a new controversy in international soccer.
Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American businessman and special envoy of the White House, claimed to have suggested to FIFA that Italy replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup, an idea that has been met with rejection both in the sports community and the political arena.
The initiative, revealed by the Financial Times, presents an unprecedented scenario: excluding a team that has already qualified for geopolitical reasons and allowing another team that did not secure its spot on the field.
A proposal with a political background
Zampolli openly confirmed his proposal:
I confirm that I have suggested to Trump and (the president of FIFA, Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup. I am Italian by birth and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a tournament organized by the United States. With four titles, they have the credentials to justify their inclusion," he said.
Beyond the sports argument, the proposal would be linked to political tensions.
According to the Financial Times, the plan also aims to mend the relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which has deteriorated due to recent disagreements over the war with Iran and statements made by the American president regarding Pope Leo XIV.
In this context, football emerges as a symbolic tool within a much broader diplomatic framework.
The response from FIFA and the rejection in Italy
The institutional reaction was swift. Although FIFA refrained from directly commenting on Zampolli's suggestion, sources from the organization have made it clear that the proposed scenario is unfeasible.
The regulations stipulate that in the event of withdrawal or exclusion of a team, the replacement should come from the same confederation.
In the case of Iran, any replacement would correspond to another Asian team, not a European one like Italy.
Moreover, Infantino himself reiterated recently that Iran's participation is still confirmed: "The Iranian team will come, for sure."
In Italy, the proposal was not well received either. Rather than being celebrated as a potential "second chance," it was seen as an inappropriate initiative.
“I read that Trump's envoy wants to readmit Italy to the World Cup: I find it shameful. I would be embarrassed,” stated the Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti.
In the same vein, the Minister of Sports, Andrea Abodi, emphasized: “First, it is not possible, and second, it is not appropriate. Qualification is earned on the field.”
Iran, classified and amid the conflict
The Iranian national team secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a strong performance in the Asian Confederation.
The official calendar indicates that it will play its Group G matches in the United States, with games scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle against opponents such as Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
However, the armed conflict with the United States and Israel has complicated the situation.
From Tehran, it has been indicated that they do not consider it viable to play on U.S. territory under the current conditions, and even requested FIFA to move their matches to Mexico, a request that was denied.
Despite this, the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has been clear about the organization's stance: “They have to be there. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Italy, out for the third consecutive time
The Italian national team, one of the most decorated in history with four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006), has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on penalties.
This marks the third consecutive absence of the Azzurra in a World Cup, a historic event that has triggered a deep sports crisis in the country.
Despite its historical weight, FIFA's regulations do not include direct invitations based on past achievements, which further undermines the feasibility of the proposal put forth by Zampolli.
Can FIFA replace a national team?
The tournament regulations do give FIFA some flexibility in the event that a team withdraws or is excluded.
According to its regulations, the organization has "full discretion" to decide how to proceed, including the possibility of appointing a substitute.
Nonetheless, in practice, this type of decision follows sporting and confederation criteria, making it unlikely to be replaced for political or diplomatic reasons.
Moreover, the issue is not on the agenda for the upcoming FIFA Congress, scheduled to take place in Vancouver, where the 211 national federations will meet.
A debate between sports and politics
The proposal from Trump's envoy has rekindled a recurring debate: the role of sports in contexts of international conflict.
Infantino has emphasized that football should serve as a bridge between nations, even in times of tension.
"Sport should be separate from politics. However, we don't live on the moon... if no one else believes in building bridges, we will do it ourselves," he affirmed recently.
For now, everything indicates that the 2026 World Cup will take place as scheduled, with Iran participating in Group G.
The suggestion to replace it with Italy, beyond its media impact, seems destined to become yet another episode at the intersection of geopolitics and sports.
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