President Donald Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, has suggested to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the White House that Italy should replace Iran at this summer’s soccer World Cup.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli told the Financial Times in an interview published on April 22.
After the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Feb. 28, there have been doubts about whether Iran’s team could compete in the World Cup.
In a post on Truth Social on March 12, Trump wrote, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”…