Trump envoy asks FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in 2026 World Cup: report

An envoy for President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to regenerate Iran with Italy successful the 2026 World Cup acceptable for this summer.

The Financial Times reported the program is an effort to repair the narration betwixt Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured pursuing the former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding the warfare with Iran.

United States peculiar envoy Paolo Zampolli was the 1 who suggested the thought to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

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President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw astatine the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts successful Washington, D.C., connected Dec. 5, 2025. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA)

"I corroborate I person suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy regenerate Iran astatine the World Cup. I’m an Italian native, and it would beryllium a imagination to spot the Azzurri astatine a US-hosted tournament," Zampolli told the outlet. "With 4 titles, they person the pedigree to warrant inclusion."

The White House did not instantly respond to a petition for remark by Fox News Digital.

Italy had a accidental to beryllium successful the World Cup already, but they suffered a penalty-shootout nonaccomplishment to Bosnia and Herzegovina successful a qualifying playoff final.

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Italy became the archetypal World Cup-winning squad to miss 3 consecutive tournaments pursuing the 4-1 punishment shootout nonaccomplishment earlier this month.

"We inactive don’t judge it — that we’re retired and that it happened successful this manner," Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola said to reporters astatine the time, per the New York Post. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families and for each the kids who person ne'er seen Italy astatine a World Cup."

While Zampolli told Infantino astir his projected plan, FIFA’s president said that Iran "for sure" volition play successful the World Cup contempt the struggle involving the U.S.

Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates aft scoring a extremity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A crippled against Uzbekistan astatine Azadi Stadium successful Tehran connected March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

"The Iranian team is coming, for sure," Infantino said during the CNBC Invest successful America Forum earlier this period successful Washington, D.C.

"We anticipation that, by then, of course, the concern volition beryllium a peaceful situation. That would decidedly help. But Iran has to come, of course. They correspond their people. They person qualified. The players privation to play."

Infantino visited the Iranian nationalist squad successful Turkey, which is wherever it has its grooming camp.

All 3 of Iran’s radical signifier games are scheduled to beryllium played successful the U.S. That remains the lawsuit aft Iranian authorities officials suggested to FIFA that their games beryllium moved to Mexico due to the fact that they could not question to the U.S.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed FIFA’s rejection of Iran’s request, and it is insisting Iran play wherever it's scheduled — SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field successful Seattle. Iran said earlier this period it would lone determine connected its team’s information erstwhile they heard from FIFA regarding their relocation request.

Iran is scheduled to play astatine SoFi Stadium against New Zealand connected June 16 to statesman its tournament. It volition besides play Belgium astatine the stadium earlier finishing radical play against Mo Salah and Egypt successful Seattle connected June 26.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends an planetary affable betwixt Mexico and Portugal astatine Banorte Stadium successful Mexico City connected March 28, 2026. (Antonio Torres/FIFA/Getty Images)

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Trump wrote successful a Truth Social station past period that Iran would beryllium invited to vie successful the World Cup arsenic scheduled, though it mightiness not beryllium "appropriate" considering the conflict.

"The Iran National Soccer Team is invited to The World Cup, but I truly don’t judge it is due that they beryllium there, for their ain beingness and safety," helium wrote.

Trump besides told Politico, "I truly don’t care," erstwhile asked astir Iran’s information successful the tournament. Infantino, who holds a beardown narration with Trump, said Trump has "reiterated" to him that the U.S. welcomes Iran’s squad to compete.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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