Wanted in Rome
Trump Envoy Zampolli Asks FIFA to Send Italy to the World Cup in Iran's Place Paolo Zampolli Confirms He Suggested the Move to Both Trump and Infantino, Calling It a Dream to See the Azzurri at a US-Hosted Tournament. In one of the more extraordinary interventions in the history of World Cup qualification, Donald Trump's special envoy to Italy has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's tournament, in what the Financial Times describes as an attempt to repair the relationship between the US president and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the public row over Trump's attack on Pope Leo XIV. "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and 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, the Azzurri have the pedigree to justify inclusion," Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times. Who Is Zampolli Paolo Zampolli is an Italian entrepreneur and manager best known for his role in the fashion and real estate worlds and for his connections in international circles, particularly in the United States. Among the details most often cited about him is the fact that he played a role in introducing Melania Trump to New York high society. He has also held institutional roles, having served as representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis at international organisations. He is currently Trump's special envoy to Italy, a position that has given him access to both the White House and FIFA's leadership. This is not the first time Zampolli has attempted this particular manoeuvre. In 2022, during the World Cup in Qatar, he similarly wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking that Italy take Iran's place in that tournament as well. The Political Logic According to the Financial Times, the plan is an effort to repair the relationship between Trump and Meloni, which soured after Trump's public attacks on Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Meloni had called Trump's words about the Pope "unacceptable" and expressed solidarity with Leo XIV, creating a public rupture between two leaders who had previously maintained a productive working relationship. Gifting Italy a World Cup place would be, in that context, a gesture calibrated to appeal directly to Italian public opinion and to give Meloni something to welcome back home. Whether FIFA would entertain such a request is another matter. FIFA's Position FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been unequivocal: "The Iranian team is coming, for sure," he said at the CNBC Invest in America Forum in Washington earlier this month. "We hope that, by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play." Infantino has visited the Iranian national team at its training camp in Turkey, where it has been based during the conflict. Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali has said the country's participation depends on "security conditions," leaving the door open to withdrawal without formally announcing one. Italy's Position in the Queue Italy was eliminated from World Cup qualification by Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that triggered the familiar Italian cycle of national lament. However, according to FIFA regulations, article 6.7 allows the FIFA Council to take a decision in exceptional circumstances. Italy is understood to be first among the non-qualified teams in the FIFA ranking, which would make it the natural replacement candidate if a spot became available. Former FIFA council member Evelina Christillin has said the decision ultimately lies with Infantino, while noting that a ripescaggio would be "humiliating" for the national team. She suggested that if a replacement were needed, Palestine would be a more appropriate choice given the current geopolitical context. Iran is scheduled to open its group stage campaign against New Zealand on 16 June at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt. The tournament begins on 11 June. With approximately six weeks to go, the question of whether Iran will appear on the pitch or whether Italy will take its place is likely to remain unresolved until the last possible moment. ph: A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com
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