Fifa has confirmed that there are no plans to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, despite a proposal from US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Paolo Zampolli. Italy, currently ranked 12th in the world by Fifa, is the highest-ranked team not participating in the tournament.

Proposal from the US Envoy

Zampolli suggested to Trump and Fifa President Gianni Infantino that Italy should take Iran's place in the World Cup. He expressed his desire to see the Azzurri compete in a US-hosted tournament, citing their four titles as justification for inclusion. However, Fifa did not officially respond to Zampolli's suggestion but referred to Infantino's recent statement affirming that "the Iranian team is coming, for sure."

Iran's Participation and Ongoing Uncertainty

Iran's participation in the tournament remains uncertain due to geopolitical tensions involving the US and Israel. Infantino previously stated that he hopes for a peaceful situation by the time the tournament begins, emphasizing that Iran has qualified and should represent its people. He noted that sports should remain separate from politics. Iran is scheduled to play matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in June.

As the tournament approaches, the situation continues to evolve, with Iranian officials indicating their readiness to participate. Zampolli's request is not new; he made a similar appeal for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during his time as a United Nations ambassador. The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.