Donald Trump envoy wants Italy to replace Iran in FIFA World Cup. Country says nope

A suggestion by one of US President Donald Trump’s envoys that Italy should replace Iran at this year’s FIFA World Cup has been firmly rejected by Italian officials, who insisted that World Cup qualification must be earned on the pitch.

Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American businessman who serves as Trump’s envoy for global relations, told the Financial Times that he had suggested the idea to both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” Zampolli said.

Zampolli has no official connection with either the World Cup or Italian football, but the suggestion quickly caused embarrassment in Italy, with politicians and sports officials dismissing the proposal outright.

Italian Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio said the idea was not only unrealistic but also insulting.

“First of all, I don’t think it’s possible. Second, I’d feel offended. In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it,” Buonfiglio said.

Sports Minister Andrea Abodi echoed the same sentiment, saying, “It is not appropriate. You qualify on the pitch,” while Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the concept as “shameful.”

Former Italy coach Gianni De Biasi also rejected the idea, saying that even in the unlikely event of Iran being excluded, the replacement should logically come from the Asian qualifying pathway.

“Furthermore, I believe Italy doesn’t need Trump’s support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own,” De Biasi told Reuters.

FIFA REJECTS IDEA

There is currently no indication that Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament. Iran qualified for a fourth successive World Cup last year and is expected to participate as scheduled.

FIFA also made its stance clear by pointing to Infantino’s earlier comments supporting Iran’s presence at the tournament.

“The Iranian team is coming, for sure. They really want to play, and they should play. Sport should be outside politics,” Infantino had said at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum last week.

Iran had requested that its three group-stage matches in the United States be moved to Mexico following the outbreak of war, but that request was rejected. Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said preparations were continuing as planned.

“We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities,” Taj said in Tehran on Wednesday.

Italy, meanwhile, will miss a third successive World Cup after failing to qualify through the regular route, making Zampolli’s proposal even more awkward for Italian fans.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Zampolli has floated the idea. Four years ago, while serving as a United Nations ambassador, he had written to Infantino urging FIFA to disqualify Iran over its human rights record and replace them with Italy. That request was ignored, and Iran went on to compete in the tournament.