Senior envoy Paolo Zampolli, a figure closely linked to US President Donald Trump, has reportedly urged FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup. The suggestion appears to be aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Rome after apolitical rift involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Zampolli put the idea forward on Wednesday, presenting football's global stage as a way to repair strained ties. The fallout stems fromTrump's remarks connected to Pope Leo XIVand the Iran conflict, which drew criticisms in Italy. The proposal has since sparked debate over whether political considerations are beginning to shape decisions ahead of a tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
At first glance, the idea feels unlikely, even unsettling. But it has quickly gained attention in both football and political circles. At the centre of it is Zampolli, whose pitch seems driven less by sporting merit and more by an attempt to stabilise fragile alliances.
Zampolli's approach to Trump and FIFA is framed as an opportunity to reset relations between Washington and Rome. It follows rising tensions between Trump and Meloni, linked to remarks on the Iran conflict andcriticism involving Pope Leo XIV.
According toThe New York Times's The Athletic, Zampolli has presented Italy as a symbolic replacement, one that could ease diplomatic strain while reinforcing Western unity ahead of a major global event. The report suggests the proposal was positioned as both a political and cultural reset.
Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, did not qualify through the usual process. Bringing them in at this stage would mark a sharp break from long-standing qualification rules. Zampolli argued that the Italian team's pedigree offers enough justification for replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup finals.
Although the move is partly framed as an effort to mend relations between Trump and Meloni, Zampolli also acknowledged a personal motive. As an Italian native, he said it would be 'a dream to see the Azzurri' compete in a tournament hosted by the United States.
The tension behind the proposal can be traced to a public fallout that unsettled ties between the United States and Italy. Trump's comments during the Iran crisis, particularly those seen as dismissive of the Pope, drew criticism in Italy and placed pressure on Meloni at home.
As reported byThe Guardian, Zampolli's intervention is being viewed as an attempt to cool those tensions using a highly visible international platform. Football, with its global audience, offers a stage where political signals travel fast.
Even so, the idea carries clear risks. Critics warn it could damage FIFA's credibility and anger teams that secured their place through competition.
Source: International Business Times UK
