April 22 (Reuters) – The suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year’s World Cup sparked a mix of embarrassment and apathy among Azzurri fans on Thursday, with Italian media reminding readers that the idea has a very familiar feel.
Donald Trump’s US special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, told the Financial Times that he had made the suggestion to the US president and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“I am of Italian descent and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-organized tournament. With four titles they have the background to justify inclusion,” said Zampolli, an Italian-American who is Trump’s envoy for ‘Global Partnership’ but has no official connection to the World Cup or Italian football.
The plan appears to be an attempt to mend ties between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after the two fell out during the US president’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the war in Iran.
Italy’s major sports news websites have only mentioned the story in passing.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told Italian news agency La Press: “Firstly, it is not possible, secondly, it is not appropriate… You are eligible on the pitch.”
Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, saying the idea was “shameful.”
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Leading Italian coach Gianni De Biasi told Reuters it was an unlikely proposition as any theoretical Iranian absence would logically be filled by the team behind them in their qualifying group.
“Moreover, I believe that Italy does not need Trump’s support on an issue like this. I think we can manage on our own,” he said.
Football world governing body FIFA responded by referring to Infantino’s previous comments about Iran’s participation.
“The Iranian team is definitely coming,” he told the CNBC Invest in America Forum last week: “Iran has to come if they want to represent their people. They really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside politics.”
ITALY MISSED A FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WORLD CUP
The White House, the Italian Football Federation and the Asian Football Federation did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Currently there is no suggestion that Iran will withdraw or be excluded from the tournament, which Italy missed after losing in the play-offs for the third World Cup in a row. Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup last year, but after the start of the war requested FIFA to move the team’s three group matches from the US to Mexico – which was rejected.
Iran appears to be proceeding as planned. “We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the authorities’ decisions,” Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government meeting in Tehran on Wednesday. “For now the decision is that the national team must be fully prepared for the World Cup.”
Four years ago, while serving as United Nations ambassador, Zampolli wrote to Infantino saying that “the world demands” that he disqualify Iran over its poor human rights record and replace the country with Italy.
The request was ignored as Iran took part and left after the group stage, having lost to England and the US, beating Wales.
In the seemingly unlikely scenario of Iran being excluded from this year’s tournament, the decision on who would replace them rests in the hands of FIFA, which under Article Six of the World Cup regulations has the discretion to call on any country to fill the vacancy.
The AFC is expected to lobby hard for the replacement to come from Asia, with the United Arab Emirates, who lost a qualifying play-off to Iraq last November, being the obvious choice.
The World Cup, which is also co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, kicks off on June 11, with Iran set to kick off its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.
