‘Not a Good Idea’: Italy Rejects Swap Proposal to Replace Iran at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Italian sports officials have flatly rejected a suggestion by a Trump administration envoy that Italy could replace Iran at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, calling the idea both impossible and offensive.

The proposal came from Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, who reportedly pitched the idea of a last-minute swap to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday.

The Financial Times first reported the suggestion. Zampolli framed it as a contingency plan in the event Iran was unable to participate in the tournament, rather than a political move.

"My request is not a political request," Zampolli told the Associated Press in a phone interview on Thursday.

He pointed to Italy's four World Cup titles as justification for their inclusion, should a vacancy arise.

Why Did Italian Officials Call the Iran-Italy World Cup Swap Impossible?

Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup and is actively preparing to compete in the United States. FIFA has firmly stated that Iran's group stage matches, scheduled near Los Angeles and in Seattle in June, will proceed as planned despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Italian officials were swift and emphatic in their rejection. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said Thursday that "first of all, it's not possible. Secondly, it's not a good idea."

Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, was equally blunt. "I would feel offended," he said. "You need to deserve to go to the World Cup."

Italy's Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further still, calling the suggested swap "shameful."

The question of Iranian players entering the United States was later put to Trump at the White House.

He initially responded with a joke, saying "I don't think about it too much," before adding, "That's an interesting question." He then said, "Let me give that some thought," before deferring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio sought to draw a distinction between Iran's athletes and others in its travelling delegation.

"Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can't come," he said. "The problem with Iran would be, not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that they want to bring with them," suggesting that Iran's soccer team could bring in people loyal to militant groups disguised as journalists and trainers.