Italian Officials Hit Back At Trump Envoy's Idea To Replace Iran At World Cup
Published on April 23, 2026.
Italian officials have responded to the suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year's World Cup by Italian-American envoy for President Donald Trump, who has no official connection to the World Cup or Italian football. The move is seen as an attempt to mend relations between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after a rift arose during the American president's criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Currently, there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament. The World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, gets underway on June 11 and will begin its campaign against New Zealand.
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