Trump Emissar seeks to replace Iran with Italy at next World Cup

US special envoy Paolo Zampoli suggested this exchange to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump, as the leader of the country that will co-organise the tournament. According to sources familiar with the issue, he argued Italy's four World Cup titles justify giving this country a tournament.

The plan was also an attempt to improve relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon, as they clashed following US President Pope Leo XIV's criticism over the Iran war, according to sources.

However, Iran said Wednesday it is prepared for the tournament and plans to participate.

The demand to replace Iran with Italy came after the Italian national, known as Azhur, failed to qualify for the World Cup, which will be organised in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Italy's heavy defeat in a crucial play-off match against Bosnia and Herzegovina triggered strong reactions in Italy and led to the resignation of Italian Football Federation president

I guess I suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I am Italian, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurs on a US-organised tour. With four titles, they have history justifying involvement,” said Zampoli for Financial Times, broadcast Periscope.

Iran had said earlier in March that it would not take part in the tournament following the US and Israeli air strikes that killed the country's leader and dozens of senior officials and other citizens, citing security concerns for its American athletes. The country's football federation has also suggested that its matches move to Canada or Mexico, an idea that has been rejected by FIFA.

Trump has said Iranian football players are welcome “to come to the US, but also that it would be inappropriate and potentially dangerous for them.

FIFA refused to comment on lobby efforts, but referred to Infantino's recent statements. “The Iranian team will come, certainly,” said FIFA's president at a conference in Washington last week. “We hope that until then, of course, the situation will be peaceful. That would definitely help. But Iran must come if it is to represent its people. They're qualified. They really want to play and play. ”

A US State Department spokesman said: “The Trump administration is doing everything necessary to support a successful World Cup, while at the same time respecting American law and higher national security and public security standards in the visa process. ”

Infantino, who is Swiss-Italian, also met with the Iranian team before a match in Turkey in late March and later said FIFA would <x0then the team to secure the best possible conditions while preparing for the” World Cup.

Iran arrived in the tournament as one of eight teams from the Asian Football Confederate, while Italy lost one of 16 European countries, being the third World Cup in a row for which it has failed to qualify. Italy currently ranks 12th in the world by FIFA, the highest of any non-partial country.

The FIFA regulation gives the managing body “full-fledged commitment” to decide what action taken if Iran withdraws. “FIFA may decide to replace the participating Member Association in question with another association,” says in the rules. Before the World Cup for Club last summer, FIFA used its disrepute powers to give it a place in the Inter Miami tournament, enabling global superstar Lionel Messi to play.

Melon has been one of Trump's closest European allies, avoiding criticism of some of his most provocative actions, including the threat of taking Greenland from Denmark by force and air strikes in Iran.

But Trump publicly criticised Melon last week after she was forced to condemn his attack on the Social Truth on Pope Leo as unacceptable “”, amid a broader public reaction in Italy for the lack of respect for the president's US-born Catholic spiritual leader.

In various media interviews in the days that followed, Trump complained of Rome's refusal to allow American warplanes involved in Iran's bombing to use an American military base in Sicily for fuel supply. Trump said it was “shocked” by Melon's lack of co-operation in the campaign against Iran, saying: “I thought there was courage, but I made a mistake. ”

Italians oppose the war, which is increasing fuel, fruit and vegetables prices and other goods. Many are suspicious and cautious about Trump, and analysts say Melon's earlier efforts to calm and protect him are becoming an increasingly large political problem within the country.