In a surprising twist that has the football world buzzing, Donald Trump's Special Envoy Paolo Zampolli has reignited speculation that Italy could still sneak into the 2026 World Cup—if Iran fails to show up. But with the tournament kicking off on June 11, time is ticking fast.

Zampolli, who has been vocal about this possibility in recent interviews, insists the Azzurri have a fighting chance. "I contacted FIFA President Infantino with Trump's support because the regulations are lacking when it comes to replacing a no-show team," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If Iran doesn't participate, Italy has the right to step in. They've won the World Cup four times and are the highest-ranked team among those who didn't qualify."

The envoy didn't mince words about the geopolitical hurdles. "The real issue is trust. It's very difficult to trust the Iranians. They say the team will come, but what about the security concerns for their supporters? Given the current climate, that's not exactly welcome in the United States. The game is still open."

For context, Italy's absence from the World Cup would mark their third consecutive failure to qualify—a bitter pill for a nation with four titles to its name. Former Azzurri star Fulvio Collovati recently called the idea of a last-minute replacement "humiliating," a sentiment echoed by many fans who would rather see the team earn their spot on the pitch.

Despite the buzz, FIFA President Infantino has already confirmed that Iran plans to participate as scheduled. Still, with the clock winding down, this storyline adds an extra layer of drama to what's shaping up to be a memorable tournament. Whether you're stocking up on new gear or just following the action, one thing's for sure—the World Cup never fails to surprise us.