Paolo Zampolli, an envoy of US President Donald Trump, has proposed that Italy be considered as a replacement for Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The suggestion is reportedly tied to efforts aimed at improving relations between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, following tensions sparked by Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran conflict.

Zampolli confirmed that he had discussed the idea with both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, expressing personal enthusiasm for Italy’s participation in a tournament set to be hosted by the United States.

According to him, Italy’s strong football legacy, including four World Cup titles, makes the team a worthy candidate for inclusion.

However, Italy did not qualify for the tournament after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff match held in March.