A senior envoy to U.S. President, Donald Trump, has reportedly urged FIFA to consider replacing Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup should Tehran withdraw from the tournament, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The proposal was said to have been made by U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli, who claimed he had raised the idea with Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Zampolli described the possibility of bringing Italy into the competition as a “dream,” pointing to the country’s strong football legacy as a four-time world champion.
Under FIFA regulations, the governing body retains discretion to invite a replacement team if a qualified nation withdraws from the tournament.
Iran, which has already secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup, had reportedly sought permission following geopolitical tensions to relocate its three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico.
Infantino, during a visit to Iran’s training camp in Turkey last month, stated that all scheduled matches would proceed as planned while assuring support for the team’s preparations.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed on Wednesday that the national team remains focused on preparations, adding that it would adhere to any directives issued by relevant authorities.
Should Iran eventually pull out, the Asian Football Confederation is expected to lobby for another Asian representative to take its place.
The United Arab Emirates, who lost a playoff against Iraq in November, is being viewed as a possible replacement candidate.
Italy, meanwhile, remains absent from the tournament after failing to qualify, having lost a playoff shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March—marking its third consecutive World Cup absence.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to begin on June 11.
Iran is slated to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.
