Trump Envoy Paolo Zampolli Formally Requests FIFA Replace Iran with Italy for 2026 World Cup

U.S. envoy Paolo Zampolli confirms he has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy for the 2026 World Cup to repair ties between Trump and PM Giorgia Meloni.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:40 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Diplomatic Maneuvering via International Sports

In a move blending international sports with high stakes diplomacy, Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships, has confirmed he is lobbying for Italy's inclusion in the 2026 World Cup at the expense of Iran. Speaking to the Financial Times, Zampolli stated that he has formally suggested the swap to both President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Zampolli argued that as four time World Cup champions, the "Azzurri" possess the historical pedigree to justify an emergency inclusion, particularly for a tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Repairing the Trump-Meloni Relationship

Political analysts view Zampolli’s proposal as a strategic attempt to resolve a public rift between President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders recently clashed after Meloni criticized Trump’s rhetoric regarding Pope Leo XIV and the ongoing war involving Iran. By advocating for Italy's return to the world stage after their shock qualifying exit, the Trump administration appears to be offering a significant cultural and political olive branch to Rome. Italy notably missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive time last month following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Iran’s Precarious Standing Amid Regional War

The status of the Iranian national team has been a subject of intense speculation since the outbreak of war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran on February 28. While the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has been negotiating with FIFA to relocate their matches from U.S. soil to Mexico for safety reasons, Zampolli’s proposal seeks their total removal from the competition. Proponents of the move cite the geopolitical instability as a reason to disqualify the nation, suggesting that Italy’s presence would bring greater stability and commercial appeal to the North American tournament.