A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup. Diplomat Paolo Zampolli suggested that the four-time champions should be given a route back into the tournament after failing to qualify.
The proposal is an effort to rebuild relations between President Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ties between the two leaders were impacted after the American president criticized Pope Leo XIV over the war in Iran.
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third successive time following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final. Zampolli's suggestion would see the Italian team replace the war-torn Middle Eastern state.