'Radical' Trump ally: "Kick out Iran, put Italy in the World Cup"... "Because of Prime Minister Meloni?"

*This content was translated by AI.

'It has been learned that the side of U.S. President Donald Trump has made a radical proposal to expel Iran from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and instead allow Italy, which failed to qualify for the finals, to join.

The British media outlet 'The Guardian' reported on the 23rd (Korea time) that "Trump's envoy requested FIFA to exclude Iran from the World Cup finals and replace them with Italy."

According to a report citing 'The Financial Times', this plan is interpreted as a diplomatic card to restore relations between President Trump, whose ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were strained after he attacked Pope Leo XIV during the Iran war, and Meloni.

U.S. Special Envoy Paolo Zampoli confirmed in an interview with 'The Financial Times' that "it is true that President Trump proposed to Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, that Italy should replace Iran and participate in the World Cup."

He continued, "As an Italian native, it is my dream to see the Italian national team play in the tournament held in the United States. Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, has sufficient grounds and qualifications to be included in the finals."

Previously, Italy suffered a historic disaster by failing to qualify for the finals for the third consecutive time, following 2018 and 2022, after losing 1-4 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European regional playoff final in March via a penalty shootout. As a result, Gabriele Gravina, the association president, and Gianluigi Buffon, the team manager, both resigned, plunging Italian football into a dark period.

In addition, Iran is currently experiencing severe internal turmoil, making its participation in the World Cup uncertain. Sardar Azmoun, a key player for the Iranian national team, was expelled from the Lee Yu-ro (CEO) (이유로 대표) team for posing with the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an adversary of the government, and key striker Mehdi Taremi is also under pressure from authorities after exchanging jerseys with an Israeli player.

However, according to 'Reuters', the White House, FIFA, and the Italian Football Federation have not yet issued official responses to this report.

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*This content was translated by AI.