US Edition
FT Reports Trump Envoy Asked FIFA to Replace Iran With Italy
The proposal was made informally and lacks FIFA approval, while Iran says it remains prepared to play and all qualified teams are still listed.
- Paolo Zampolli, a United States special envoy, suggested replacing Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup to improve relations between the US and Italy following political tensions.
- Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing a playoff, while Iran qualified through AFC qualifiers and intends to participate as scheduled.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirmed that Iran will participate in the tournament and emphasized that sport should be kept separate from politics.
- The proposal to replace Iran with Italy has not been adopted, and FIFA has shown no intention to change the qualified teams for the World Cup.
200 Articles
200 Articles
Paolo Zampolli, an advisor close to Donald Trump, pushes for Italy to replace Iran at the World Cup (11 June - 19 July 2006). A suggestion he submitted to the Fifa boss and the US president. L的Italy did not succeed in qualifying for the World Cup while the presence of...
The US Special Envoy, Paolo Zampolli, asked the FIFA president to replace Iran with the Italian selection. But Iran said that his team was not ready to give up its place. This plan would aim to repair the relationship between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni, after their mess caused by the US President's attacks on Pope Leo XIV. - Football: replacing Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Championship... the improbable scenario suggested by Trump's em…
President Trump's Team Reportedly Lobbying FIFA To Replace Iran With Italy At The World Cup To Make Up For His Beef With The Pope
trump FIFA After missing out on its third straight world cup, the Italian national soccer team may be handed a lifeline by President Donald Trump as a result of his beef with the Pope. According to reports, Trump envoy Paolo Zampolli personally lobbied both President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino to replace Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup, arguing that Italy’s four World Cup titles and general soccer “pedigree” should count for…
The controversy over Iran's participation in the World Cup escalated again. A special envoy of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, proposed to FIFA that the selection of Italy take that place in the tournament to be held in North America. Paulo Zampolli, special representative of the United States for Global Alliances, was the one who put the idea to Gianni Infantino. “I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran…
Trump Envoy Paolo Zampolli Urges FIFA To Replace Iran With Italy at 2026 World Cup To Repair Ties
Senior envoy Paolo Zampolli, a figure closely linked to US President Donald Trump, has reportedly urged FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup. The suggestion appears to be aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Rome after a political rift involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Zampolli put the idea forward on Wednesday, presenting football's global stage as a way to repair strained ties. The fallout stems from …
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