A suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year's World Cup has drawn a mix of embarrassment and apathy from Azzurri fans, with Italian media reminding readers the idea is not new.
Donald Trump's U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times he made the suggestion to the president and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "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," said Zampolli, an Italian-American who is Trump's envoy for Global Partnership but has no official connection with the World Cup or Italian football.
The plan appears to be an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid Trump's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Italy's main sports news websites gave the story only a passing reference.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told Italian news agency La Press: "Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate ... You qualify on the pitch." Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, calling the idea "shameful."
Leading Italian coach Gianni De Biasi told Reuters it was an unlikely proposal, with any theoretical Iranian absence logically filled by the team behind them in their qualification group. "Furthermore, I believe Italy doesn't need Trump's support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own," he said.
FIFA responded by pointing to Infantino's previous comments on Iran's participation. "The Iranian team is coming, for sure," he told last week's CNBC Invest in America Forum. "Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They really want to play, and they should play. Sport should be outside politics."
Italy is missing a fourth successive World Cup after losing in a playoff for the third time in a row. 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 U.S. to Mexico, which was rejected.
Iran is seemingly proceeding as planned. "We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities," Iranian football federation 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."
Four years ago, Zampolli, when he was a United Nations ambassador, wrote to Infantino saying that "the world is demanding" he disqualify Iran because of the country's poor human rights record and replace them with Italy. The request was ignored as Iran took part and went out after the group stage, having lost to England and the U.S. and beaten Wales.
In the seemingly unlikely scenario of Iran being excluded from this year's tournament, the decision on who would replace them lies with FIFA, who 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 playoff to Iraq last November, the obvious choice.
The World Cup, also co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, gets underway on June 11, with Iran scheduled to kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.
