A senior envoy linked to Donald Trump has reportedly urged FIFA to replace the Iran national football team with the Italy national football team at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The suggestion has quickly drawn attention, given that Italy failed to qualify for the tournament.
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According to reports, envoy Paolo Zampolli made the proposal, stating it would be a “dream” to see Italy participate in a World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
He argued that Italy’s four World Cup titles give them the pedigree to justify inclusion despite missing out through qualification.
FIFA stance remains firm on qualified teams
Italy’s absence from the tournament was confirmed after they suffered a shock playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking their third consecutive failure to qualify.
In contrast, Iran secured their place on merit and have already begun preparations for the competition.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously made it clear that Iran will take part, stressing that sport should remain separate from political matters.
The governing body has also declined to comment directly on the envoy’s proposal.
Iranian officials have reiterated that their national team is fully prepared for the tournament, with plans already in place for training camps ahead of their opening match.
There have also been discussions about potentially relocating some fixtures to Mexico due to logistical or political considerations.
Under FIFA regulations, any replacement team would only be considered in the event of a withdrawal or disqualification, reports Saudi Gazette.
Even then, priority would typically be given to another nation from the same confederation to maintain balance.
As it stands, there is no indication that Iran will be removed, making the proposal highly unlikely to materialise.
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