Trump Envoy Lobbies FIFA to Replace Iran with Italy at 2026 World Cup

Italy's Foreign Ministry and football officials are navigating an unusual diplomatic proposal that could theoretically place the Azzurri in the 2026 World Cup despite failing to qualify—an idea floated by a Trump envoy that has sparked debate over FIFA regulations, geopolitical maneuvering, and the integrity of international sport.

Paolo Zampolli, a special envoy for former U.S. President Donald Trump and an Italian native, has formally requested that FIFA President Gianni Infantino replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming tournament, which opens in June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Zampolli confirmed his lobbying effort to the Financial Times, framing it as both a sporting merit argument—Italy's four World Cup titles—and a diplomatic gesture intended to repair strained relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following Trump's controversial remarks about the Pope regarding the Iran conflict.

Why This Matters

• Italy missed qualification for the third consecutive World Cup after failing in the playoff round, yet a Trump-backed envoy is pushing for their inclusion based on historical prestige rather than on-field results.

• Iran confirmed readiness to participate as of April 22, complicating any substitution scenario despite earlier security concerns over playing matches in the U.S.

• According to FIFA regulations, the governing body holds discretion in the event of a team withdrawal, but Infantino has publicly stated Iran will "for sure" compete, making Italy's insertion highly improbable.

• The deadline for formal decisions on team participation is May 13, less than three weeks away, with Iran's first match scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles.

The Diplomatic Gambit Behind the Proposal

Zampolli's suggestion is unusual not only for its disregard of standard qualification protocols but also for its explicit political framing. According to the Financial Times report, the plan represents "an effort to repair ties between Trump and Premier Meloni" after Trump's public criticism of the Pope in the context of the Middle East war, which caused friction with Italy's Catholic-majority electorate and the government in Rome.

"I am Italian, it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at the World Cup in the United States," Zampolli told the Financial Times. "With four titles, the Azzurri have the pedigree to justify inclusion."

While Zampolli frames the request as merit-based, the timing and context suggest a broader strategic calculation. Italy's government, led by Meloni's right-wing coalition, has sought to maintain strong relations with Washington, particularly on defense and trade policy. A high-profile diplomatic win—such as securing Italy's World Cup participation through a U.S.-brokered deal—could bolster Meloni's standing domestically, especially among football-obsessed voters still reeling from the Azzurri's third straight qualification failure.

However, the proposal has drawn skepticism from legal and sports analysts who question whether FIFA's governance statutes would permit such a substitution absent a formal Iranian withdrawal or sanction.

Iran's Position: Ready to Play Despite Security Concerns

Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup in March 2025, finishing first in its Asian qualifying group. The team is scheduled to compete in Group G, with matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Los Angeles and Seattle.

In the immediate aftermath of airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Tehran floated the possibility of boycotting the tournament, citing security risks for Iranian athletes on U.S. soil. Iran's Ministry of Sport requested that its matches be relocated to Canada or Mexico, a proposal FIFA rejected.

By mid-April, however, Iran's tone shifted. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on April 22, 2026, that Iran is "fully prepared" for the tournament and intends to participate. Ahmad Donyamali, Iran's Minister of Sport and Youth, has emphasized that the final decision rests with the Supreme Council for National Security, not the football federation alone, and hinges on guarantees of "strict security measures" and the cessation of "adventurous behavior" by the host nation.

Despite these assurances, Iran's participation remains contingent on internal deliberations, with a decisive meeting expected by May 11 at the latest, ahead of the logistical cutoff for squad submissions.

What FIFA Rules Say About Team Withdrawals

Under FIFA regulations, if a qualified team withdraws or is excluded, FIFA holds discretion to determine the replacement process. Historical precedent suggests that the runner-up from the relevant confederation's qualifying playoff or the highest-ranked non-qualified team is selected.

In the case of Iran, this would likely mean the United Arab Emirates, the next-ranked Asian team, would step in—not a European side like Italy. Precedent from the 2022 World Cup shows that when Russia was excluded due to sanctions, Poland advanced, not a team with greater historical pedigree.

FIFA's regulations prioritize competitive fairness and confederation balance over historical prestige. Italy's four World Cup titles, while impressive, do not override the fact that the Azzurri failed to qualify through the standard process for the third consecutive tournament cycle.

What This Means for Italian Football Fans

For residents and football supporters in Italy, the proposal highlights the Azzurri's unusual position: unable to qualify through standard channels for three consecutive World Cup cycles despite being four-time champions. The national team's playoff loss in March 2025 marked a significant setback, and many fans have questioned the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) management and development strategies.

While Zampolli's lobbying effort is unlikely to succeed, it underscores the frustration surrounding Italian football's failure to secure a place in the sport's most important tournament, especially one hosted in a country with a significant Italian-American diaspora.

If Iran were to withdraw, FIFA would almost certainly replace them with another Asian team under confederation rules. However, some analysts have speculated about a "super playoff" format involving top-ranked non-qualifiers like Italy and Denmark—a scenario FIFA has not endorsed and which would require an unprecedented regulatory shift.

Key dates to watch:

• April 30: FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where further clarifications on Iran's status may emerge.

• May 11: Expected deadline for Iran's final decision on participation.

• May 13: Logistical cutoff for any substitution, as teams must submit final rosters shortly thereafter.

• June 15: Iran's first World Cup match, scheduled in Los Angeles against New Zealand.

The Broader Implications

Beyond the immediate question of Italy's participation, the Zampolli proposal raises questions about the intersection of sport and geopolitics in an era where major tournaments increasingly serve as diplomatic venues.

FIFA President Infantino has consistently argued that "sport should remain outside politics," yet the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the U.S., a nation with fraught relations with Iran—has become a flashpoint for exactly those tensions. Trump himself remarked that Iranian players would be "welcome" in the U.S. but acknowledged it would be "inappropriate and potentially dangerous" for them, a statement that underscores the security dilemma.

For Italy, the diplomatic proposal underscores the challenges facing Italian football as it seeks to return to prominence on the world stage. The nation's football authorities must address qualification through competitive performance in future cycles rather than through diplomatic channels.

Infantino's Stance: Iran Will Play

Despite Zampolli's efforts, Infantino has been unequivocal. "The Iranian team will surely come," he said last week in Washington. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation is peaceful. That would certainly help. But Iran must come if it intends to represent its people. It qualified, it really wants to play, and it must play."

Barring an unforeseen last-minute withdrawal by Tehran or a major FIFA policy reversal, Italy's absence from the 2026 World Cup is all but certain. For the Azzurri, the path back to football's biggest stage will require a return to competitive excellence—starting with the next qualification cycle for 2030.