The suggestion follows months of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns regarding the vetting of Iranian officials entering the United States.
The proposal gained traction following reports that Iran’s participation could be compromised by strict US visa protocols aimed at members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
This sparked a wave of rumours that Italy, the highest-ranking nation to fail in the traditional qualification process, could be handed a wildcard entry to fill the vacancy, if Iran were to pull out or be removed from the tournament.
Is Donald Trump going to ban Iran from the 2026 World Cup?
When questioned on the matter during a recent press appearance, Trump appeared to be weighing the possibility for the first time. "I don't think about it too much. That's an interesting question," he remarked.
"You know what, let me give that a little thought. Is that what they're doing, they're thinking about replacing them?"
Turning to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been vocal on foreign policy and security matters, Trump added: "Marco, could you make a statement on that, please? What do you think of [this]?"
Rubio clarified that while the US has not officially barred the Iranian football team, the logistical and security hurdles remain significant.
"Nothing from the US has told them they can't come," Rubio stated. "The problem with Iran, it would not be with their athletes, it would be some of the other people they'd want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves."
Rubio concluded by addressing the specific link to the Italian national team.
"I don't know where that's coming from other than speculation that Iran may decide not to come and Italy would fill their spot."
For Italy, such a move would represent a stunning reprieve following their play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month. However, the move has not been backed by Italian lawmakers.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has moved swiftly to shut down the rumours, ruling out any possibility of Italy replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup. While the proposal was reportedly floated as a diplomatic gesture by Trump envoy Paolo Zampolli, Meloni’s cabinet has treated the suggestion as an affront to sporting integrity.
Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi led the dismissal, labelling the plan 'impossible', firmly stating that 'qualification is earned on the pitch.'
The Azzurri famously missed both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, and a third consecutive absence from the world stage has been viewed as a national sporting tragedy.
While FIFA are yet to comment on Zampolli's supposed proposal, the involvement of high-ranking US political figures has ensured the debate will continue as the tournament approaches.
