2026 World Cup: Trump’s envoy tells FIFA country that should replace Iran
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Paolo Zampolli, representing former President Donald Trump, has urged FIFA to swap Iran for Italy as a 2026 World Cup participant, aiming to mend Trump's strained
US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup. This is part of a plan to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders fell out following Trump’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. “I confirm […] 2026 World Cup: Trump’s envoy tells FIFA country that should replace Iran