How the U.S. is Trying to Bring Italy Back to the Tournament
Sport
A major political scandal is brewing around the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Paolo Zampolli has officially proposed that FIFA exclude the Iranian national team, replacing them with Italy, a team that failed to qualify for the tournament.
Zampolli’s initiative is motivated not only by Italy’s storied football history as four-time world champions but also by Washington’s attempt to mend ties with Rome following a diplomatic rift between Donald Trump and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. According to the Financial Times, the idea of "gifting" Italy a spot at the U.S.-hosted World Cup has become a lever in a high-stakes geopolitical game amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has taken a firm stand, declaring that Iran will "absolutely" participate in the tournament. Speaking in Washington, the head of world football emphasized that sport must remain separate from politics, noting that the Iranian team earned its right to represent its people through fair competition. Infantino expressed hope for regional stabilization by the tournament's start and vowed that FIFA would provide the best possible conditions for the Iranian squad's participation.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has taken a firm stand, declaring that Iran will "absolutely" participate in the tournament. Speaking in Washington, the head of world football emphasized that sport must remain separate from politics, noting that the Iranian team earned its right to represent its people through fair competition. Infantino expressed hope for regional stabilization by the tournament's start and vowed that FIFA would provide the best possible conditions for the Iranian squad's participation.
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