Italy rejects idea of replacing Iran at World Cup after Trump envoy suggestion

Italian sports authorities have firmly rejected any notion of stepping in for Iran at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, dismissing the idea as both impractical and inappropriate after it was floated by a Trump administration official.

Iran, which has already qualified for the tournament, has not withdrawn and is actively preparing to compete in the United States despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. FIFA has reiterated that Iran’s group-stage matches, scheduled near Los Angeles and in Seattle in June, will proceed as planned.

The proposal originated from Paolo Zampolli, who reportedly suggested to Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino that Italy could replace Iran if the latter were unable to participate. Speaking to the Associated Press, Zampolli described the idea as a contingency rather than a political move, saying it stemmed from a personal “dream” tied to Italian and Italian-American fans.

Italian officials, however, reacted sharply. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said the proposal was neither feasible nor appropriate. Luciano Buonfiglio emphasized that World Cup qualification must be earned on merit, while Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, calling the suggestion “shameful.”

At the White House, Trump initially brushed off questions about Iran’s participation before asking for time to consider the issue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States has not barred Iranian players from entering the country, though concerns remain about non-athlete personnel potentially accompanying the team.

Rubio suggested that individuals posing as journalists or staff could present security risks, but stressed that such concerns do not apply to the اللاعبين themselves. He also noted speculation that Iran might voluntarily withdraw, though no such decision has been made.

Iran’s place in the tournament has been under scrutiny since military tensions escalated earlier this year. Nevertheless, Iranian officials have reiterated their intention to participate, describing their preparations as focused on a “proud and successful” campaign.

The Iranian embassy in Rome strongly criticized the replacement suggestion, stating that football should remain separate from politics and warning against what it described as attempts to sideline the team through political means.

While FIFA rules allow for a replacement if a team withdraws, they do not clearly define whether that replacement must come from the same continental confederation. Under normal circumstances, the spot would likely go to the next eligible Asian team, such as the United Arab Emirates.

Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, failed to qualify for the tournament for the third consecutive time, making any late inclusion through external intervention particularly contentious.