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An envoy for President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to switch Iran pinch Italy successful nan 2026 World Cup group for this summer.
The Financial Times reported nan scheme is an effort to repair nan narration betwixt Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which soured pursuing nan former’s comments against Pope Leo XIV regarding nan warfare pinch Iran.
United States typical envoy Paolo Zampolli was nan 1 who suggested nan thought to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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President Donald Trump receives nan FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during nan FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw astatine nan John F. Kennedy Center for nan Performing Arts successful Washington, D.C., connected Dec. 5, 2025. (Emilee Chinn/FIFA)
"I corroborate I person suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy switch Iran astatine the World Cup. I’m an Italian native, and it would beryllium a dream to spot nan Azzurri astatine a US-hosted tournament," Zampolli told nan outlet. "With 4 titles, they person nan pedigree to warrant inclusion."
The White House did not instantly respond to a petition for remark by Fox News Digital.
Italy had a chance to beryllium successful nan World Cup already, but they suffered a penalty-shootout nonaccomplishment to Bosnia and Herzegovina successful a qualifying playoff final.
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Italy became nan first World Cup-winning squad to miss 3 consecutive tournaments pursuing nan 4-1 punishment shootout nonaccomplishment earlier this month.
"We still don’t judge it — that we’re retired and that it happened successful this manner," Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola said to reporters astatine nan time, per the New York Post. "It’s upsetting for everyone. For us, for our families and for each nan kids who person ne'er seen Italy astatine a World Cup."
While Zampolli told Infantino astir his projected plan, FIFA’s president said that Iran "for sure" will play successful nan World Cup contempt nan conflict involving nan U.S.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates aft scoring a extremity during nan 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A crippled against Uzbekistan astatine Azadi Stadium successful Tehran connected March 25, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
"The Iranian team is coming, for sure," Infantino said during nan CNBC Invest successful America Forum earlier this period successful Washington, D.C.
"We dream that, by then, of course, nan business will beryllium a serene situation. That would decidedly help. But Iran has to come, of course. They correspond their people. They person qualified. The players want to play."
Infantino visited nan Iranian nationalist squad successful Turkey, which is wherever it has its training camp.
All 3 of Iran’s group shape games are scheduled to beryllium played successful nan U.S. That remains nan lawsuit aft Iranian authorities officials suggested to FIFA that their games beryllium moved to Mexico because they could not recreation to nan U.S.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed FIFA’s rejection of Iran’s request, and it is insisting Iran play wherever it's scheduled — SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field successful Seattle. Iran said earlier this period it would only determine connected its team’s information erstwhile they heard from FIFA regarding their relocation request.
Iran is scheduled to play astatine SoFi Stadium against New Zealand connected June 16 to statesman its tournament. It will besides play Belgium astatine nan stadium earlier finishing group play against Mo Salah and Egypt successful Seattle connected June 26.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends an world friends betwixt Mexico and Portugal astatine Banorte Stadium successful Mexico City connected March 28, 2026. (Antonio Torres/FIFA/Getty Images)
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Trump wrote successful a Truth Social station past period that Iran would beryllium invited to compete successful nan World Cup arsenic scheduled, though it mightiness not beryllium "appropriate" considering nan conflict.
"The Iran National Soccer Team is invited to The World Cup, but I really don’t judge it is due that they beryllium there, for their ain life and safety," he wrote.
Trump besides told Politico, "I really don’t care," erstwhile asked astir Iran’s information successful nan tournament. Infantino, who holds a beardown narration pinch Trump, said Trump has "reiterated" to him that nan U.S. welcomes Iran’s squad to compete.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Scott Thompson is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
