‘Moral bankruptcy’:
Backlash emerges over proposed Iran-Italy World Cup swap
A controversial proposal to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup – co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 – has been met with criticism from both countries.
The controversy broke out when Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, confirmed to the Financial Times that he had suggested the switch to U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino amid a military conflict between Iran and a U.S.-Israeli coalition.
Iran, one of the first national teams to qualify for the global showpiece, has been drawn alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in Group G, with all of Team Melli’s matches set to be staged on American soil. Italy, meanwhile, has missed out on a place in the finals for a third successive edition – courtesy of a shootout defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs in March.
“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” Zampolli told the FT.
According to the Financial Times, the proposed plan is an attempt to repair the strained relationship between the U.S. president and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – the pair had a falling out last week over Trump’s comments about Pope Leo XIV and the Iran War.
When asked by CNN to clarify his comments, the Italian-American said: “A World Cup without [Lionel] Messi is not a World Cup. Italy has the same merits after winning four times the World Cup.”
The Iranian embassy in Italy was quick to respond to Zampolli’s proposal, saying it showed “moral bankruptcy” by the United States.
“Italy has earned its greatness in football on the pitch, not thanks to political privileges,” the Iranian embassy said on X.
“The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only reveals the ‘moral bankruptcy’ of the United States, which is afraid even of the presence of eleven young Iranians on the field of play.”
Italian officials have also pushed back hard at the suggestion.
“Italy’s possible requalification for the 2026 World Cup ... is firstly, not possible, and secondly, not appropriate,” Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told Sky News. “I don’t know what comes first. Qualification is on the pitch.”
Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, also dismissed the idea of taking Iran’s place.
“I would feel offended,” Buonfiglio said. “You need to deserve to go to the World Cup.”
Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful.”
When asked at the White House on Thursday about Iranian players potentially not being allowed into the U.S. for the tournament, Trump deferred the question to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said: “Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t come.”
“The problem with Iran would be, not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that they want to bring with them,” Rubio said, suggesting that the Iranian team could bring in people loyal to militant groups disguised as journalists and trainers.
“We may not be able to let them in,” Rubio said of people around the team. “But not the athletes themselves.”
He added that there had been “speculation that Iran may decide not to come, but then Italy could fill their spot,” without adding details. “If they decide not to come on their own, it’s ‘cause they decided not to come,” the secretary of state said of Iranian athletes.
While Team Melli’s training camp for the World Cup kicked off earlier this week, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has insisted that he is “definitely opposed” to Iran’s participation, though he went on to confirm that the Iranian government will have the final say on the matter.
“How can we have a sense of honor and, like so many, just say, ‘Go ahead, play in the World Cup’? We cannot remain indifferent to these criminal events for the sake of football, sports, or the World Cup,” Donyamali said on Tuesday.
“Personally speaking, I am definitely opposed [to Iran’s participation].
“Professionally, I have to do everything I can to make sure the team is prepared. That’s why all our efforts, as it stands, are focused on making the necessary preparations for the squad.
“If the government gives the green light, we will play in the World Cup, but if it says the conditions are not right, we will not go.”
Trump had said in March that he considers it not “appropriate” for Iranian players to visit his country “for their own life and safety,” though Infantino insisted last week that Iran will play “for sure” at the World Cup, arguing that “sports should be outside of politics.”