Italy to Replace Iran at FIFA World Cup? The Truth Behind the Absurd Rumor

A proposal to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has ignited international debate, with a senior aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump confirming he suggested the swap to both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The idea, first reported by the Financial Times and later covered by German outlets Sport1 and Der Spiegel, centers on Paolo Zampolli, described as a Trump special envoy of Italian descent. According to Zampolli’s own remarks cited in multiple reports, he told Trump and Infantino that Italy should take Iran’s place in the tournament.

“I can confirm that I suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy should replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli was quoted as saying by Sport1 on April 23, 2026. He added that for him, it would “be a dream” to see Italy compete in a World Cup hosted in the United States.

Zampolli justified the suggestion by referencing Italy’s historical pedigree, stating: “With four titles, they have the reputation that justifies inclusion.” Italy last won the World Cup in 2006 and has four championships overall (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006). However, the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament after losing their UEFA playoff semifinal to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2026.

The proposal emerged amid growing scrutiny over Iran’s eligibility to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Iranian officials have not been officially barred by FIFA, but political tensions between Tehran and Washington have fueled speculation about potential exclusion.

Iran’s reaction was swift, and condemnatory. The Iranian Embassy in Rome issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling the idea a “moral bankruptcy” of the United States. “Football belongs to the people, not politicians. Italy achieved its stature on the pitch, not through political gain,” the embassy wrote, as reported by Sport1.

FIFA’s statutes prohibit government interference in national football associations, and any change to the qualified field would require extraordinary circumstances. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, expanding from the traditional 32. Iran secured its qualification through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) pathway, earning one of the continent’s direct slots.

Italy’s absence from the 2026 field marks their second consecutive World Cup omission, following their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 after losing to North Macedonia in the playoff semifinal. The four-time champions have not missed two straight tournaments since 1958 and 1962.

No official request has been submitted to FIFA to alter the qualification standings, and world football’s governing body has not indicated any plans to reconsider Iran’s participation. FIFA President Infantino has consistently emphasized the autonomy of member associations and the importance of keeping sport separate from political disputes.

The 2026 World Cup will begin with a group stage match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, with the final scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. Matches will similarly be held across venues in Toronto, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.

As of April 23, 2026, Iran remains on the list of qualified teams, and Italy’s path to the tournament would require either a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or an unprecedented FIFA intervention — neither of which appears imminent based on current statements from football authorities.

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