A U.S. envoy linked to former President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after suggesting that Italy could replace Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup over security and visa concerns.
Paolo Zampolli made the remarks in comments reported by Tribuna, stating there is “more than a 50 per cent chance” of such a scenario playing out, although no official decision has been taken.
Zampolli said he had already floated the idea to both Trump and Gianni Infantino, noting that discussions could continue when he meets the FIFA president during the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Miami.
“There shouldn’t be a World Cup without Italy,” he said, adding that the final decision would ultimately rest with FIFA leadership and U.S. authorities.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran, as well as stricter U.S. visa policies that could complicate travel for Iranian players, officials, and supporters.
Zampolli also raised security concerns, suggesting that visa restrictions are partly aimed at preventing potential threats. “We don’t want people coming in who could do some bad things,” he said, while noting that Iranian players themselves would still be welcome.
Despite the comments, he acknowledged that the situation remains uncertain. “I haven’t spoken to Trump yet, and no final decision has been made,” he added.
Iran has already qualified for the 2026 tournament, while Italy failed to secure a spot through the qualification process. However, the unusual suggestion has fueled speculation about a possible replacement scenario if Iran’s participation becomes untenable.
As it stands, there has been no official indication from FIFA that any such change is under consideration, leaving the remarks as part of a wider debate shaped by politics, security, and sport.
