Overview
- US special envoy Paolo Zampolli said he asked FIFA to let Italy take Iran's place at the 2026 tournament, according to the Financial Times.
- FIFA and national federations have not issued any official response to the proposal, multiple outlets reported.
- Iran has qualified for 2026 and was drawn in Group G with games in Los Angeles and Seattle, while Italy failed to qualify after losing a playoff to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Iranian federation said it has been discussing moving its games from the United States to Mexico, and FIFA's president has said matches will be played where they were drawn.
- Reporting links the envoy's idea to an effort to smooth relations between President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.