Italy could replace Iran in World Cup in plot to repair ties between Trump and Meloni

Donald Trump and FIFA have been urged to remove Iran from this year's World Cup by one of the US President's special envoys. Paolo ⁠Zampolli, US special ‌envoy, insists Italy have the ‌"pedigree to justify inclusion" and claims he even personally raised the suggestion with Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Italy endured a humiliating defeat in their play-off fixture against underdogs Bosnia and Herzegovina, sparking massive outcry across the country over the failure. However, Italian-born Zampolli is attempting to hand the major footballing nation a World Cup lifeline at the expense of the nation in conflict with the US, Iran. Trump's envoy described Italy at the World Cup in the US as a "dream". Speaking to the Financial Times,⁠ Zampolli said: "I confirm I have ⁠suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World ‌Cup. I'm an Italian native and ⁠it would be a dream to ⁠see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the ‌pedigree to justify inclusion." The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump had previously indicated Iran's footballers would be "welcome" to travel to the US, but also suggested it could potentially prove dangerous for them. Writing on Truth Social back in March, the US President wrote: "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety." FIFA has refused to comment on Iran potentially being replaced, though Infantino stated last week that the "Iranian team is coming, for sure." He went on to say: "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful [one]. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified. They really want to play, and they should play." With the conflict in Iran ongoing and the World Cup merely weeks away, it remains uncertain whether Iran's participation in the tournament will be affected. Trump has also made no further mention of the Iranian football side attending the US-hosted competition since his remarks back in March.