According to a latest report from Financial Times, a US special envoy to Donald Trump is actively pushing an explosive idea: kicking Iran out of the upcoming tournament and allowing Italy to take their spot.It sounds like something straight out of a football manager simulation, but the proposal is entirely real and has already been pitched at the highest levels of global leadership.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe man behind the proposal is Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-born diplomat who serves as a special envoy to Trump.FIFA advised to replace Iran with Italy at the World CupZampolli openly confirmed that he has floated the unprecedented swap idea directly to both the US President and FIFA head Gianni Infantino.Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustFor Italian fans, this would be the ultimate, miraculous lifeline. The Azzurri suffered a devastating 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final in March, officially confirming their absence from a third consecutive World Cup following misses in 2018 and 2022.Zampolli argues that the four-time world champions have the historic pedigree to justify a backdoor inclusion, calling it a “dream” to see them compete on American soil.He said:“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [Fifa president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”The proposed swap is actually a calculated effort to repair the deeply fractured relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.More Stories / Latest NewsFIFA advised to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World CupApr 23 2026, 8:54The real truth behind Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea severance package has emergedApr 23 2026, 7:13Not for sale: Man United have clear stance on creative force of the clubApr 23 2026, 6:56Steps are being taken to repair Italy and US relationsThe two leaders recently suffered a major political fallout after the American president launched attacks against Pope Leo XIV regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.Offering Italy a golden ticket to football’s biggest stage is being seen as a step to repair relationships.Will FIFA actually rewrite its own rulebook to appease a diplomatic rift? It’s highly unlikely that Infantino will take the bait and completely undermine the integrity of the qualification process just to patch up US-Italian relations.Still, the mere fact that a backdoor Italy swap is being seriously discussed in the Oval Office highlights just how incredibly complicated and politically charged the 2026 World Cup has become.Final 2026 World Cup groups confirmed as Italy and other big names miss outThe post FIFA advised to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup appeared first on CaughtOffside.