FIFA advised to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

According to a latest report from Financial Times, a US special envoy to Donald Trump is actively pushing an explosive idea: kicking Iran out of the upcoming tournament and allowing Italy to take their spot. It sounds like something straight out of a football manager simulation, but the proposal is entirely real and has already been pitched at the highest levels of global leadership.

The man behind the proposal is Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-born diplomat who serves as a special envoy to Trump.

FIFA advised to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup

Zampolli openly confirmed that he has floated the unprecedented swap idea directly to both the US President and FIFA head Gianni Infantino.

For Italian fans, this would be the ultimate, miraculous lifeline. The Azzurri suffered a devastating 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final in March, officially confirming their absence from a third consecutive World Cup following misses in 2018 and 2022.

Zampolli argues that the four-time world champions have the historic pedigree to justify a backdoor inclusion, calling it a “dream” to see them compete on American soil.

He said:

“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [Fifa president Gianni] 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.”

The proposed swap is actually a calculated effort to repair the deeply fractured relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Steps are being taken to repair Italy and US relations

The two leaders recently suffered a major political fallout after the American president launched attacks against Pope Leo XIV regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Offering Italy a golden ticket to football’s biggest stage is being seen as a step to repair relationships.

Will FIFA actually rewrite its own rulebook to appease a diplomatic rift? It’s highly unlikely that Infantino will take the bait and completely undermine the integrity of the qualification process just to patch up US-Italian relations.

Still, the mere fact that a backdoor Italy swap is being seriously discussed in the Oval Office highlights just how incredibly complicated and politically charged the 2026 World Cup has become.