A top envoy to Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to kick Iran out of the World Cup and replace them with Italy amid their ongoing conflict with the US.
America and Israel’s joint attack on Iran back in February and the subsequent war that has broken out has plunged the Middle Eastern country’s place at this summer’s World Cup into doubt.
The war has led to claims that Iran’s soccer federation could snub the tournament – which is being held in the US, Canada and Mexico – although talk of a boycott has faded of late following its face-to-face meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
During that meeting, Infantino offered tangible help for the squad to prepare for the World Cup in the next two months. Most Iran players are with clubs in the national league that has shut down during the war.
Yet according to the Financial Times, US special envoy Paolo Zampolli has suggested to both Infantino and Trump, as leader of the country co-hosting the tournament, that Italy replaces Iran this summer.
Zampolli, who was born in Milan, is said to have argued that Italy’s standing as four-time World Cup winners justifies them taking Iran’s spot, despite the fact that his birth country failed to qualify.
A top Donald Trump envoy has reportedly asked FIFA President Gianna Infantino (right) to kick Iran out of the World Cup and replace them with Italy
Iran’s ongoing conflict with America has plunged their place at the World Cup into major doubt
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It is believed his plan is part of an effort to repair Trump’s relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following their dispute over his criticism of Pope Leo XIV regarding the Iran war.
‘I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,’ Zampolli reportedly told the Financial Times.
However, Iran’s soccer federation said in a statement on Wednesday that it very much still plans to participate in the World Cup.
Infantino, who is Swiss-Italian, also said at a conference in Washington last week: ‘The Iranian team is coming, for sure. We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful (one). That would definitely help.
‘But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified… They really want to play, and they should play.’
Iran qualified for the World Cup as one of eight teams from the Asian Football Confederation, while Italy failed to secure one of the 16 European spots.
It marks the third consecutive World Cup they have not qualified for, coming as a disaster for the 2021 European champions.
According to FIFA’s rule book, the governing body has ‘sole discretion’ to decide what action to take if Iran were to boycott the World Cup this summer.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli wants Italy – who didn’t qualify – to take Iran’s World Cup spot
‘FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association,’ the rules state.
The organization used its powers to hand a spot at last summer’s Club World Cup to Inter Miami and enable soccer legend Lionel Messi to play in the process, despite the MLS franchise not achieving anything in recent years to warrant automatic inclusion.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, with the final taking place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Iran’s first group game comes against New Zealand on June 15, before they face Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 26.
