Italy at the 2026 World Cup instead of Iran: this is the request made by Donald Trump's envoy, Paolo Zampolli, to FIFA , explaining that the four World Cups won by the Azzurri justify the swap.
According to the Financial Times, the plan is an "effort to repair ties between Trump and Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni" following the president's attacks on the Pope over the war in Iran. "I confirm that I suggested to Trump and Infantino that Iran be replaced by Italy at the World Cup. I'm Italian, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at the World Cup in the United States . With four titles, the Azzurri have the pedigree to justify their inclusion," Zampolli told the Financial Times.
Iran, however, announced in the last few hours that it is ready for the tournament, which opens in June, and intends to participate. In March, Tehran said it would not participate following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel, citing security concerns for its athletes in the States. Iran then floated the idea of playing in Canada or Mexico, but was rejected by FIFA.
Trump had said that Iranian players were "welcome" in the United States, but made no secret of the fact that it would be inappropriate and potentially dangerous for them. FIFA did not comment, merely referring to Gianni Infantino's recent statements. "The Iranian team will definitely come," he said last week in Washington . "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be peaceful. That would certainly help," he added. "But Iran must come if it wants to represent its people. They have qualified, they really want to play, and they must play," he emphasized.
(Unioneonline)
