Khaberni - The Financial Times reported -last Wednesday- that a high-level envoy for the U.S. President Donald Trump requested from the International Football Federation (FIFA) to have Italy replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup finals, while Iranian federation president Mehdi Taj stated he "is confident that his country will participate in the World Cup despite the ongoing conflict".
The newspaper relayed from informed sources that the American proposal “aims to repair the relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following a disagreement that erupted between them over the U.S. President’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican about the war with Iran."
The American special envoy Paulo Zampolli told the Financial Times, "I have suggested to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup." He added, "I am from Italy, and it would be like a dream come true to see the Italian national team in the finals hosted by the United States. They have a solid record - with four titles - which qualifies them to participate."
Italy was shocked in March when the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third consecutive time, after losing 4-1 on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European qualifiers playoff.
Financial Times noted that Iran issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was ready for the tournament and intends to participate.
Iran Confirms Participation
In Tehran, the president of the Iranian federation, Mehdi Taj, told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), "According to the current situation, we will participate in the World Cup."
The Iranian Football Federation reported that the Iranian team planned to play 4 preparation matches in Turkey, as part of its preparations to participate in the World Cup in the United States despite the war between the two countries.
Iran had announced earlier in April that it would not make a decision regarding the national team's participation in the World Cup until it received a response from FIFA regarding moving its matches from the United States to Mexico.
The World Cup 2026 will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 of this year.
