Time is running out for Iran to decide if it will participate in this summer’s World Cup, but some members of the Trump Administration appear to be taking matters into their own hands. U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli has urged both President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino to drop Iran from the 48-team field and replace them with Italy, a four-time champion.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli told the Financial Times. “I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament.”
Despite Zampolli’s passionate suggestion, the proposal has been met with little support, including rejection from the Italians themselves, who found the idea offensive. Nonetheless, Zampolli’s comments are part of an unprecedented effort by the Trump Administration and its allies to influence preparations for this summer’s World Cup, which will be the largest and most complex in history.
In recent months, President Trump has made his stance on World Cup venues known, threatening to pull games out of cities run by Democratic governments, such as Boston, Seattle, and Santa Clara, citing safety and security concerns. Meanwhile, presidential proclamations have restricted the entry of nationals from 39 countries, including Iran, Senegal, Haiti, and the Ivory Coast—nations set to compete in the tournament. Additionally, U.S. authorities are requiring visitors from 50 countries to deposit bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the country for the event, a fee some players and coaches from Cape Verde, Algeria, and Tunisia may have to pay.
Homeland Security personnel, including ICE, are also expected to be a major part of the security apparatus during the tournament, prompting concern from lawmakers and civil rights groups. A union representing over 30,000 workers in Southern California filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing FIFA and other authorities of failing to limit ICE’s presence at SoFi Stadium, where eight World Cup matches will be held.
“The blatant attempt at political interference not only drips with arrogance, but portends a highly politicized World Cup,” said Jules Boykoff, a professor of politics and government at Pacific University. “The closer we get to the tournament, the more power Trump has over FIFA.”
FIFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Iran’s participation in this summer’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, has been in question since the U.S. and Israel began bombing the country in February. The attacks have killed nearly 4,000 Iranians and caused over $300 billion in economic damage, while Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies. Iran initially stated that it would not participate in the World Cup due to safety concerns but later asked FIFA to move its games to Mexico—though this request was denied.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Iranian government said the team is preparing for “proud and successful participation” in the World Cup, though the nation’s commitment to the tournament appears tied to the progress of ongoing peace negotiations, marking the first World Cup in history to be affected by a conflict between a host country and a participating nation.
Zampolli’s suggestion has only added fuel to the fire, especially considering his close ties to President Trump. A former modeling agent, Zampolli was appointed by Trump as a special envoy for global partnerships. His comments continue to fuel uncertainty regarding Iran’s place in the tournament, and the possibility of replacing Iran with Italy has led to confusion and concern. FIFA regulations state that a country can withdraw from the World Cup “no later than 30 days before the first match” and may face penalties, including fines or disqualification from future events. With the World Cup set to begin in Mexico City on June 11, that deadline is quickly approaching.
FIFA has the authority to choose a replacement if a country withdraws, but there are no clear guidelines for such a situation. Italy, which failed to qualify for the tournament after losing a playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina last month, is the highest-ranked team not in the competition. Despite Zampolli’s proposal, Italian officials swiftly rejected the idea. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called it “shameful,” while Sports Minister Andrea Abodi stated, “You qualify on the pitch.”
Italy’s possible inclusion would also disrupt the tournament’s carefully constructed field by increasing Europe’s representation to 17 teams, taking away a spot from Asia, where Iran represents. It could also lead to protests from other countries in Iran’s group, including Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Given these complications, the likely replacement for Iran would be the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the next best team in Asia’s qualification. However, the UAE has not played a match since its loss to Morocco in the Arab Cup last December, and its March friendly with Armenia was canceled due to security concerns related to the ongoing U.S. war on Iran.
Jonathan Wilson, author of The Power and the Glory: The History of the World Cup, weighed in on the issue: “If Iran isn’t there, it obviously should be the UAE as the next-best Asian side in qualification.”
