Could Italy replace Iran at World Cup 2026? Donald Trump envoy asks FIFA to make 'dream' change originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to welcome teams from all over the world to three host nations across North America, the event is set to be a celebration of the global game.
Such an event also comes with the understanding that geopolitics can sometimes dictate circumstances. Such is the case with the 2026 tournament, specifically concerning Iran, who qualified to compete.
The Middle Eastern nation is involved in a military conflict with hosts United States, where they are set to contest all three of their group-stage matches. U.S. president Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and inability so far to broker a lasting peace deal has created further tension as the tournament approaches, and there has long been speculation that Iran could refuse to take part.
The Sporting News has more on Iran's status at the World Cup amidst questions about a potential boycott, and one U.S. official's creative idea to replace them at the tournament should they wind up withdrawing.
MORE:Will Iran withdraw from the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
A special envoy to U.S. president Trump revealed on on Wednesday, April 22 that he has floated the idea of Italy replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup.
The Financial Times reported that Paolo Zampolli, an Italian native, suggested the idea as a means to repair relations between Italy and the United States after leaders of the two countries fell out over Trump's criticism of the Pope's stance on the Iran war.
However, Italy's sports minister, Andrea Abodi, has dismissed the idea outright.
"Italy's possible requalification for the 2026 World Cup, which U.S. president Donald Trump's envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has reportedly proposed to FIFA, is firstly not possible, and secondly not appropriate," Abodi said to Sky News Italia. "I don't know which comes first. Qualification is on the pitch."
President of the Italian national Olympic committee, Luciano Buonfiglio, said he would be "offended" by the idea of Italy being nominated to replace Iran at the World Cup, while Italy's economic minister called it "shameful."
Ranked 12th in the world by FIFA, Italy shockingly failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final. Despite having won the trophy four times throughout their national team's illustrious history, this miss marks the third straight time Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup.
The U.S. president does not have the power to dictate which nations participate at the World Cup.
Only FIFA can determine the rules and other regulations of its own tournament, which operates outside of government processes. This includes the possibility of excluding teams from taking part, should FIFA deem it appropriate.
However, Trump can make it difficult for certain nationalities to enter or leave the country through hardline immigration policies, which could potentially pose problems for teams and fans.
It had been speculated for some months now that Iran could withdraw from the tournament following the USA and Israel's attack.
On March 11, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali reportedly said on state TV: "Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup." This came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino posted online that, during discussions with the U.S. on March 10, "President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States."
Infantino followed that up with a statement in mid-April that reiterated his stance. "The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” Infantino told CNBC at a conference in Washington. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful (one). That would definitely help. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified.
"They [Iran] really want to play, and they should play."
Regulation 6.5 in the World Cup handbook addresses "force majeure," an irresistible force or unforeseen event.