April 23, 2026 Paolo Zampolli, a former diplomat linked to Donald Trump, has urged FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup, citing Italy’s football pedigree and his personal ties to the country. Zampolli, who served as an envoy during Trump’s presidency, revealed to the *Financial Times* on Wednesday that he had pitched the idea directly to both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The proposal comes amid Iran’s ongoing preparations for the tournament, which the country insists it will attend despite geopolitical tensions.
"Ich bin gebürtiger Italiener, und es wäre ein Traum, die italienische Mannschaft bei einem von den USA ausgerichteten Turnier zu sehen," Zampolli told the *Financial Times*, emphasizing his Italian heritage and desire to see the four-time champions compete. "Mit vier Titeln haben sie die nötige Erfahrung, die eine Teilnahme rechtfertigt." Italy failed to qualify after a playoff loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Iran’s Firm Commitment
Iran’s football federation has already begun preparations, with a preliminary squad of 30 players gathering for a training camp in Tehran. Mehdi Taj, a senior official, confirmed to the ISNA news agency: "Stand jetzt nehmen wir teil." The statement underscores Iran’s determination to participate, despite external pressures.
Further reinforcing this stance, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on Wednesday that the national team is "vollständig vorbereitet" for the World Cup. The comments signal Tehran’s resolve to defy any attempts to exclude them from the tournament.