Trump’s envoy pushes for Italy to replace Iran at the World Cup

SportFootballWorld CupTrump’s envoy pushes for Italy to replace Iran at the World CupPaolo Zampolli’s suggestion came in part in an effort to rebuild relations between the US and Italy, which have been impacted after Trump criticised the Pope Jamie Gardner Thursday 23 April 2026 09:59 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2963375","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-iran-italy-trump-b2963375.html","title":"Trump’s envoy pushes for Italy to replace Iran at the World Cup"}}CloseTrump appears to pocket Club World Cup medalInside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sportGet our free Inside Sport newsletterGet our free Inside Sport newsletterEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Inside_Sport_CDP","regTitle":"Inside Sport","subscriptionGroup":"inside_sport","subscriptionGroupId":"9cec95c5-a973-40ac-9b05-03d636c07853","type":"sport","pathPrefix":["/sport","/f1"],"associatedAuthors":["Lawrence Ostlere","Kieran Jackson"],"title":"Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport","mobileTitle":"Get our free Inside Sport newsletter","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/InsideSport1_1.png","newsletterKey":"receiveInsideSportNews","regSourceSection":"World Cup","regSourceMethod":"NSCs"},"isClimate":false}A special envoy to United States President Donald Trump has proposed that Italy should replace Iran at this summer’s World Cup, amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. Iran’s participation in the finals has be...