Paolo Zampolli Pushes Italy-For-Iran Swap, FIFA Rejects Plan B

A proposal to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup was raised to U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino by Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampolli, but FIFA has moved to shut down any “Plan B” and reiterated that Iran is coming.

“- Published Fifa has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup according to sources, after the switch was proposed by US president Donald Trump's special envoy”

BBC

The BBC reported that FIFA has “no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup,” citing sources after the switch was proposed by Trump’s special envoy.

BBC

Zampolli told the Financial Times, “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” adding, “I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament.”

FIFA highlighted Infantino’s prior statement that “The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” and the BBC also quoted Infantino saying, “Iran has to come if they are to represent their people.”

Italian officials and fans reacted with embarrassment and apathy, with Italy’s sports minister Andrea Abodi telling La Press, “Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate ... You qualify on the pitch.”

Economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful,” while Reuters quoted coach Gianni De Biasi saying, “I believe Italy doesn't need Trump's support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own.”

Zampolli’s suggestion was framed as an attempt to repair ties between the United States and Italy after political friction tied to the Iran war and Pope Leo XIV.

The BBC said the FT reported Zampolli’s plan was suggested to smooth things over between the US and Italy after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Trump over his comments towards Pope Leo XIV.

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NBC News described the plan as an effort to repair ties between Trump and Meloni after the two fell out amid “the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.”

Zampolli’s own pitch to the Financial Times emphasized Italy’s “pedigree,” telling the outlet, “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

The New York Times also reported that Zampolli told the FT, “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” and it said the plan was part of an effort to repair the relationship after the two fell out over Trump’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV.

FIFA’s response leaned on Infantino’s insistence that sports should remain outside politics, quoting him as saying, “Sports should be outside of politics.”

While the swap proposal was debated, FIFA and Infantino repeatedly pointed to Iran’s participation as scheduled, and multiple outlets described Iran as preparing for the tournament.

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Financial Times

The BBC reported that Infantino said, “The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” and it quoted him adding, “Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified, and they're actually quite a good team as well.”

NBC News said there was “no suggestion that Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament,” and it described Iran as “seemingly proceeding as planned.”

The Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday, “We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities,” and he added, “For now, the decision is for the national team to be fully prepared for the World Cup.”

The BBC also gave the match schedule: Iran were due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June, with the tournament beginning on 11 June.

Fox News later specified SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Lumen Field in Seattle as the venues, saying Iran is scheduled to play at SoFi Stadium against New Zealand June 16 to begin its tournament and to play Belgium at the stadium before finishing group play against Mo Salah and Egypt in Seattle June 26.

Italian officials and football figures rejected the swap idea outright, while FIFA pointed to its own regulations and prior statements about Iran.

NBC News quoted Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying, “Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate ... You qualify on the pitch,” and it reported Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, saying the idea was “shameful.”

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Reuters quoted coach Gianni De Biasi saying the proposal was “an unlikely proposal with any theoretical Iranian absence logically filled by the team behind them in their qualification group,” and he added, “Furthermore, I believe Italy doesn’t need Trump’s support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own.”

FIFA’s stance, as described by the BBC, relied on Infantino’s insistence that “Sports should be outside of politics,” and it also referenced FIFA rules giving “sole discretion” on what happens if a team withdraws or is excluded.

The BBC quoted FIFA regulations language that “Fifa may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association,” and it said Article six of its World Cup regulations also says that.

NBC News added that in the “seemingly unlikely scenario” of Iran being excluded, “the decision on who would replace them lies in the hands of FIFA,” and it cited Article Six of the World Cup regulations as the basis for FIFA’s authority.

With FIFA insisting there are “no plans” to replace Iran with Italy, the immediate stakes shift to whether Iran’s participation remains stable amid the conflict and the logistics of U.S. hosting.

The BBC said the tournament, which begins on 11 June, is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, and it laid out Iran’s group opponents and dates in Los Angeles and Seattle.

NBC News

NBC News said the White House, the Italian Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment, leaving the swap proposal without official follow-through from those bodies.

The BBC also noted that under FIFA rules the world governing body has “sole discretion” if a team withdraws or is excluded, and it quoted Infantino’s line that “We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful (one).”

In the event of any change, FIFA’s regulations would govern replacement decisions, and the BBC quoted that “Fifa may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”

The Independent described the uncertainty as reaching “ever deeper levels of politicisation,” and it said the governing body could face claims in the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it dropped in another country unlinked to qualification.