A proposal linked to allies of Donald Trump to replace Iran with Italy at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has surfaced, though FIFA has given no indication that such a move is being considered.
According to the Financial Times, Paolo Zampolli suggested that Italy should be included in place of Iran at the expanded tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Zampolli said it would be a “dream” to see Italy return to the World Cup, pointing to their history as four time champions, despite failing to qualify after losing a playoff to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy’s absence marks a third successive missed World Cup, a notable decline for one of football’s most successful national teams.
The report linked the suggestion to wider diplomatic dynamics, including relations between Trump and Giorgia Meloni, although there has been no formal proposal submitted to football authorities.
Iran’s participation has drawn scrutiny following geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Israel earlier this year. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran had indicated it was in discussions with FIFA over logistical arrangements, including the possibility of playing matches outside the United States.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has since said Iran will take part in the tournament as scheduled and compete in line with the official draw.
FIFA has not commented on any potential changes to qualified teams, and altering the lineup at this stage would represent a significant departure from established competition rules.
With the tournament approaching, confirmed qualifiers remain the focus, even as political developments continue to intersect with international football.
