"Let's put Italy in the World Cup, excluding Iran in war," Trump's envoy proposes a scheme... even Italy's Sports Minister calls it "inappropriate"

*This content was translated by AI.

An envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump proposed to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) that Iran be removed from the 2026 North American World Cup finals and replaced by Italy. However, with firm rejections from the involved countries and FIFA's adherence to its principles, the situation appears difficult.

According to the UK's "Financial Times" on the 23rd (local time), Paolo Zampoli, the global partnership envoy of President Trump, recently proposed to President Trump and FIFA President Gianni __NAME_0__ that Italy be granted a "fast-track" entry into the World Cup. The proposal suggests excluding Iran, which is at war with the United States, and instead sending Italy, which has won the tournament four times in the past.

In diplomatic circles, it is believed that the proposal is underpinned by strong political motives. Recently, President Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV strained his relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leading to analysis that he offered a hand of reconciliation by resolving Italy's painful issue of "World Cup disqualification."

However, even Italy, which was on the verge of becoming the beneficiary, expressed reluctance. Andrea Abodi, Italy's Sports Minister, firmly drew a line through local media, stating, "World Cup qualification is determined solely by performance on the field," and labeled Envoy Zampoli's proposal as "inappropriate."

Italy, which has been undergoing a painful period of reform, including the simultaneous resignation of the football association president and the head coach due to the fallout from failing to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive terms, also rejected the privilege without merit.

Iran, which was facing forced expulsion, firmly expressed its intention to participate and strongly protested. The Iranian Embassy in Italy issued a statement saying, "Football does not belong to politicians," and added, "Attempts to exclude Iran from the World Cup only prove the United States' moral bankruptcy and its fear of Iranian players."

FIFA President In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) also stepped in to de-escalate the situation by officially confirming Iran's participation in the World Cup. In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) emphasized the principle of normal tournament operation, stating, "Sports and politics must be separated."

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that even if Iran had voluntarily abstained, there was virtually no chance for Italy to take its place. According to continental quotas and regulations, if Iran does not participate, the appropriate replacement country would not be Italy from another continent, but the second-place nation from the Asian qualifiers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ultimately, the U.S. miscalculation to forcibly combine international politics and sports appears set to end as a mere incident, ignored by the involved parties.

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*This content was translated by AI.