The Donald Trump administration seems intent on blowing up the 2026 World Cup, as political interventions in the tournament show no sign of ending amidst the shadow of the US-Iran war. An envoy of the American president has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the final stage of the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, according to a report by the Financial Times. The proposal is part of a broader effort to restore relations between Trump and Giorgia Meloni, following the rift caused by the American president's attacks on Pope Leo against the backdrop of the war with Iran.
The Zampolli proposal and the "Italian dream"
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli confirmed that he proposed the replacement of Iran by Italy to both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. "I am Italian and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri in a World Cup hosted in the US. With four titles, they have the prestige that justifies participation," he stated. Italy, however, had been disqualified in March, losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final, missing out on the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament.
Silence from FIFA and involved bodies
The White House, FIFA, the Italian football federation, and the federation of Iran did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The absence of an official position leaves all possibilities open, though there is currently no indication that such a change is being institutionally considered.
Iran declares it is "present"
According to the same report, Iran has reportedly stated that it is ready to participate normally in the tournament. At the same time, it had already clarified since early April that it will only make a final decision on the national team'sparticipation after receiving a response from FIFA regarding its request to move its matches from the US to Mexico. The upcoming FIFA World Cup will be the largest competition in the history of the institution, both in terms of participation and geographical scale.
It will be held in 2026 across three countries: United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the World Cup is hosted by three co-organizers. For the first time, the competition will include 48 national teams instead of 32. The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the 8 best third-placed teams qualifying for the round of 32. A total of 104 matches will be played, a significant increase from the 64 of previous tournaments, which also extends the duration of the tournament. The 2026 World Cup is estimated to be the most commercial event of all time, with revenues that could exceed 11 billion dollars, according to FIFA estimates.
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