Trump envoy asked to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
A senior envoy of former US President Donald Trump has revealed that he requested the replacement of Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup. The request was made during a meeting with FIFA officials, according to a statement published on Tuesday.
The envoy, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he made the proposal in light of ongoing political tensions between Washington and Tehran. He argued that Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, should take Iran’s place in the tournament.
“I asked FIFA to consider replacing Iran with Italy for the 2026 World Cup,” the envoy stated. “Italy has a rich football history and would be a more suitable representative on the global stage.”
The request was made during a private meeting with FIFA representatives, but no official response has been confirmed. The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran qualified for the tournament after finishing top of their Asian qualifying group. Italy, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the second consecutive World Cup, having missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
FIFA has not commented on the envoy’s request. The governing body typically does not entertain political interference in its competitions. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with the expanded format allowing more nations to participate.
The envoy’s remarks have sparked debate among football fans and officials. Some have dismissed the proposal as unrealistic, while others have questioned the appropriateness of mixing politics with sport.
No further details have been released about the meeting or any potential follow-up. The 2026 World Cup remains scheduled to proceed with Iran as one of the qualified teams.
