Donald Trump’s special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has told Italian media that there is “more than a 50 percent chance” that Italy will replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
28/04/2026 12:00
The Italian-American former modeling agent, now acting as Trump’s envoy for global partnerships, is trying to convince FIFA to make the controversial change ahead of the summer tournament.
With the United States and Iran currently embroiled in a conflict that the president has repeatedly called a war, it is unclear whether the Iranian team would feel safe participating in the tournament, or would even be allowed to enter the country.
Zampolli therefore argues that FIFA should exclude Iran and instead call up Italy as the highest-ranked team that did not make it past the qualifiers.
“I would say there is more than a 50 percent chance that Italy will play at the World Cup,” Zampolli told RAI GR Parlamento.
“This weekend I will meet Gianni Infantino in Miami during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. There should not be a world championship without Italy, the decision is up to Infantino and Trump.”
However, Zampolli is rather alone in this endeavour, as several figures in Italian football have already said they would refuse to take Iran’s place at the tournament.
A former modeling agent who claims to have introduced Melania Trump to her husband explained how he came up with the proposal:
“I noticed that Iran’s participation is not yet confirmed because of the war, so I asked Infantino about the chances that Italy could be called up additionally,” Zampolli said.
“Also, it’s very difficult to get visas now, and we don’t want people coming to us who might cause trouble. If people who are not welcome in the United States are going to come, it’s better they don’t come.
I haven’t talked to Trump about it yet, and he hasn’t decided yet. Iranian players are welcome, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that we can’t let in people who don’t like the United States of America.
If Iran didn’t participate in the tournament, I don’t know if we are ready to call someone else, but anything can happen.”
