FIFA has shot down a U.S. envoy’s proposal to replace Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup, as both FIFA and Italian sports officials insist that tournament spots must be earned on the field.
FIFA has dismissed a proposal from U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup, according to sources close to the governing body. Zampolli suggested the switch to President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, arguing that the four-time champions have the “pedigree” to justify inclusion after failing to qualify on the field. The proposal was reportedly an attempt to mend diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Italy, but FIFA remains committed to its previous stance, with Infantino stating as recently as last week that “the Iranian team is coming, for sure.”
The suggestion sparked a sharp rebuke from the Iranian embassy, which accused the United States of “moral bankruptcy” and attempting to use political privilege to bypass sporting merit. Italian officials have also distanced themselves from the plan; the country’s sports minister, Andrea Abodi, and Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio both criticized the idea, asserting that World Cup participation must be earned through competition rather than backroom deals. Italy failed to qualify for the tournament for the third consecutive time following a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.
Despite the ongoing war involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, FIFA and Iranian government officials maintain that the national team is “fully prepared” to compete. Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. FIFA highlighted that under current regulations, the world governing body holds “sole discretion” over team replacements, but emphasized their desire to keep sports separate from the “sensitive and complex” political landscape of the region.