Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in World Cup

A special envoy to US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to remove Iran from this summer's World Cup and replace them with Italy.

Iran's involvement in the summer tournament has been in question after the United States and Israel began air attacks on Iran in February. The World Cup will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, but all of Iran's group-stage games are scheduled to be in the United States.

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup after they were beaten 4-1 in a penalty shootout ‌by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off final.

The Azzurri haven't qualified for the World Cup since 2014 but the Financial Times have reported that US special envoy Paolo Zampolli is seeking to have them parachuted in, with Iran being removed.

The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup," Zampolli said.

"I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,"

Iran qualified for a fourth successive World Cup last year but after the start of the war requested that ‌FIFA move the team's three group matches from the US to Mexico.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on a visit to an Iran squad training camp in Turkey last month that all matches ⁠would take place as scheduled, while offering the team help with preparations for the tournament.

"We are preparing and making arrangements ‌for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities," Iranian football ⁠federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi ‌Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.

"For now, the decision is for the national team to be fully prepared for the World Cup."

The decision on which country would come in if the Iranian government withdrew the team lies in the hands of FIFA, which under Article Six ⁠of the World Cup regulations is at liberty to call up any nation it chooses to fill the vacancy.

The AFC would be expected ⁠to lobby hard for the replacement to come from Asia with the United Arab Emirates, who lost a qualifying play-off to Iraq last November, the obvious choice.

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