Eligible to participate
According to the Financial Times , President Donald Trump's special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has proposed an alternative to the Iranian national team for the 2026 World Cup to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Accordingly, as an Italian-American businessman, Zampolli believes that the Italian national team could participate in the biggest football event on the planet this summer.
Iran has begun planning for the 2026 World Cup.
"I confirm that I suggested to Mr. Trump and Infantino that Italy should replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup. I am Italian and it would be a dream to see my team participate in a tournament co-hosted by the United States. With four titles, they are qualified to be there," Zampolli told the Financial Times .
In fact, this idea is linked to diplomatic goals, not just purely sporting ones. Currently, the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is believed to be strained following Trump's comments directed at Pope Leo XIV regarding the war in Iran. Bringing the "Azzurri" back to the World Cup, especially to the tournament in the US, is an attempt to ease the situation.
Iran will conduct training in Türkiye.
However, as of now, neither the White House, FIFA, nor the relevant football federations have issued any official response. Meanwhile, Iran is preparing for its participation in the World Cup.
Italy is unlikely to replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup.
In mid-last month, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) proposed moving three of their group stage matches to Mexico. However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later revealed that FIFA quickly rejected Iran's request and insisted that the West Asian representatives would play at their previously scheduled venues: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) and Lumen Field (Seattle).
According to FFIRI's plan, the Iranian national team will train in Türkiye and participate in four friendly matches before heading to North America in June. The FIFA president also visited Türkiye to watch the Iran vs. Costa Rica match during the recent FIFA Days.
He declared he would "continue to support" the Asian representatives in their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
In principle, FIFA has never replaced a qualifying team with a team that failed to qualify. With Iran already planning a trip to North America this summer, the proposal to bring Italy back to the World Cup seems unlikely to materialize.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/de-xuat-y-thay-the-iran-du-world-cup-2026-196260423161356856.htm
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