Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said it was neither right nor possible to swap Iran for the four-time World Cup champions. The politician rejected what was reported to be a proposal from Paolo Zampoli, the US Special Representative for Global Partnerships.
An aide to US President Donald Trump claims he proposed the swap to the president and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Nevertheless, soccer’s governing body insists Iran will take part in this summer’s tour of North America despite being at war with the host nation.
Abodi told Sky News: “The possibility of Italy’s re-qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampoli has reportedly proposed to FIFA, is firstly impossible and secondly inappropriate. I don’t know what the first is. Qualification is on the pitch.”
Mr. Zampolli published his proposal in the Financial Times. “I confirmed that I have proposed to Mr. Trump and[FIFA President Gianni]Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup. I was born in Italy, but it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a tournament hosted by the United States. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify their participation.”
However, Iranian Football Association president Mehdi Taj insisted that Iran remains ready to participate. “In the current situation, we will also participate,” he told the Iranian Student News Agency.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejelani also told state television: “The Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced that, by order of the minister, the national soccer team is fully prepared to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States.”
Infantino similarly believes that Iran should compete, and has not ruled out the possibility of participating. “The Iranian team will definitely come. Of course, we hope that by then the situation will be peaceful. That will definitely help,” he told CNBC.
“But Iran has to come to represent their people. They are eligible and the players want to play. Sports should be outside of politics… They really want to play and they should play.”
But President Trump has previously raised questions about their safety in the United States. “I welcome the Iranian national soccer team to participate in the World Cup, but I absolutely do not think it is appropriate for them to participate in the World Cup, considering their own lives and safety,” he told Truth Social.
