Trump's Envoy Proposes Italy's Reinstatement at World Cup, Urges FIFA to Exclude Iran

In a surprising move, Paolo Zampolli, special envoy for global partnerships under U.S. President Donald Trump, has requested FIFA to exclude Iran from the upcoming World Cup and to admit Italy as a replacement. This controversial proposal comes ahead of the World Cup set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026. Zampolli, an Italian-American entrepreneur and a long-time friend of Trump, disclosed this intention in a statement reported by the Financial Times and later confirmed to Corriere della Sera. Having lived in the U.S. for over three decades, Zampolli’s unique role as a special envoy, appointed last year, spans various areas including sports diplomacy, which aims to employ sports events as tools for foreign policy. The genesis of Zampolli's proposal reportedly took place during a trip to Italy when he engaged with notable figures, including Italy's Minister of Sports Andrea Abodi and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. He recalled meeting Abodi just before Italy's heartbreaking loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff match. Expressing a personal connection to the Italian national team, Zampolli voiced, "As an Italian, it would be a dream to see the Azzurri participate in the championship hosted by the United States. With four World Cup titles, they have a pedigree that justifies their inclusion." Unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, where Iran is embroiled in tensions with the U.S. and Israel, the Iranian federation initially raised safety concerns for its athletes, suggesting they only participate in matches held in Canada or Mexico. However, it was reported last week that Iran reversed its stance and confirmed intention to participate, even as Trump acknowledged potential risks for Iranian players traveling to the U.S. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been vocal in defending Iran's right to play, stating that the team qualified on the field and thus deserves to compete. He noted, "The Iranian team will definitely come," during a recent conference in Washington D.C. Infantino also promised support for the Iranian team as they prepare for the World Cup, further solidifying Iran's position in the tournament. Zampolli's proposal to replace Iran with Italy hinges on FIFA’s own regulations. According to Article 67 of FIFA's rules, if a team withdraws or is excluded, FIFA has the authority to take necessary actions at its discretion, including substituting it with another federation. However, this article does not guarantee automatic replacement or rights based on world ranking; in fact, Italy currently ranks twelfth among excluded teams. Analysts caution that Italy's chances of reinstatement remain slim. Notable commentators have indicated that should Iran withdraw, it is more likely FIFA would select another team from the Asian confederation, with the United Arab Emirates being a likely candidate after their recent elimination. Furthermore, Zampolli's overture appears to be a strategic move to enhance bonds between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, relations that have strained recently following diplomatic tensions involving the Vatican. Meloni labeled Trump’s comments towards the Pope as unacceptable, prompting a sharp retort from the former president, highlighting the delicate nature of their political ties. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on FIFA's decision-making process and its impact on the World Cup landscape and international relations surrounding this highly-anticipated global event. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2