A top envoy to US President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, The Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
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. 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," US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT .
The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Iran's football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final .
The FT reported that Iran issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Iran had said earlier in April it would only decide on the national team's participation in the World Cup once it received a response from FIFA over the relocation of their matches from the US to Mexico. Iran 'fully prepared' to participate in World Cup Meanwhile, Iran's government spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the Iran men's national team is "fully prepared" to participate in the World Cup this summer.
The team's involvement was called into 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.
Fatemeh Mohajerani reported that the Iranian Ministry of Youth and Sports has handled the logistics involved in having the soccer team play in the US.
Last month, Iran sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on state television, "Considering that this corrupt regime (in the US) has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist."
The next day, President Donald Trump posted on social media , "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."
FIFA subsequently refused a request from Iran to have its Group G matches moved to Mexico. Iran is due to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, both in Inglewood, California, then Egypt on 26 June in Seattle.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who otherwise has closely allied himself with Trump, said last week, "The Iranian team is coming, for sure. Yes. We hope that by then of course the situation will be a peaceful situation. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come."