Italy Rejects Proposal to Replace Iran at 2026 World Cup

If Zampolli does get a role in organizing the World Cup, fans, players, journalists, and other travelers may be subjected to the Trump administration’s brutal immigration policies.

Trump suggested that Iran should be replaced at the World Cup, but Italy objected, and Iran is still planning to play. Italian officials pushed back hard at the suggestion, saying Thursday that “first of all, it’s not possible. Secondly, it’s not a good idea.” apnews.com/article/worl...

Grassroots groups in host cities are concerned w the World Cup approaching, “We're still waiting for public commitments from FIFA& host city organisers on plans to protect residents,workers,&visitors." Warning of risks to privacy,racial profiling,ice,detention facilities,even death #AreWeGreatYet

A Trump administration official this week proposed that Italy’s national soccer team take Iran’s spot at the World Cup this summer. Supporters didn’t appreciate the pity invite.

Paolo Zampolli, a longtime friend of President Trump who is serving as special envoy for global partnerships, suggested that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup, which will be held in the U.S. in June. Italian officials expressed no interest in a substitution.

Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups issued a “ World Cup travel advisory” Thursday, warning tournament visitors of “rising authoritarianism and increasing violence” in the United States. www.yahoo.com/news/article...

Paolo Zampolli — who reportedly introduced Trump to Melania Trump — has personally asked both Trump and Infantino to remove Iran from the World Cup tournament, and be replaced by Italy, who did not qualify.

Is this the same Paolo Zampolli ("Melania’s former modeling agent and a onetime Trump Organization real estate broker" w/ "past circumstantial connections" to Epstein & Ghislaine Maxwell ) who is reportedly asking #FIFA to replace Iran w/ Italy in the #WorldCup? prospect.org/2026/04/23/d...

The proposal put forward by Trump, to replace the Iranian national team, has been met with widespread rejection and clear mockery in Italy

If USA-Paraguay is not packed to capacity at SoFi (69,650 seats), it will give the public — the world — a horrible first impression of the World Cup. But it will be a bigger shame if the the ticket prices have kept out passionate U.S. fans. www.socceramerica.com/the-usa-para... @pkedit.bsky.social

A top envoy to Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup, arguing Italy’s 4 World Cup titles justify awarding it the slot The plan was an effort to repair ties between Trump & Meloni who fell out over his attacks on the Pope

Advocacy groups issued a travel advisory on Thursday, warning that visitors traveling to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup may face arbitrary detention or deportation, among other human rights abuses.

It's be better if we just held the World Cup elsewhere.

Where arrogance meets political interference at the crossroads of soccer: Donald Trump special envoy Paolo Zampolli asks FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup, in part to try to repair ties between Trump & Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni www.theguardian.com/football/202...

————— The Athletic World Cup visitors to U.S. ‘vulnerable to serious harm’, civil rights organisations warn www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...