An envoy to Donald Trump claims he has asked the U.S. president and FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup.

Speaking to the Financial Times (FT) on Wednesday, U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli said four-time winners Italy “have the pedigree” to justify replacing Iran at the tournament, which gets underway in less than 50 days in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

According to the FT, citing people familiar with the matter, Zampolli’s plan is part of an effort to repair the relationship between Trump and Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out over the U.S. president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war — although Zampolli also admitted to a personal incentive to his request.

“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,” Zampolli told the FT.

FIFA declined to comment on Zampolli’s claim and the Italian Football Federation denied any knowledge of the proposal. The Athletic has also approached the White House for comment.

Zampolli alongside U.S. vice-president JD Vance on a recent trip to Hungary (JONATHAN ERNST / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

FIFA and its president, Infantino, have consistently said that Iran will compete at the World Cup as planned, despite the ongoing conflict with the U.S.

“The Iranian team is coming, for sure,” Infantino told CNBC at a conference in Washington last week. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful (one). That would definitely help. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified . . . They really want to play, and they should play.”

Italy, who were world champions in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after a defeat on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the European playoffs.

Iran qualified automatically as one of eight teams from the Asian Football Confederation, and were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

FIFA’s regulations allow the governing body “sole discretion” to decide what action to take if Iran were to withdraw. “FIFA may decide to replace the participating member association in question with another association,” its rules state.

Ahead of the Club World Cup last summer, FIFA used its discretionary powers to hand a spot at the tournament to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, increasing the tournament’s appeal with the inclusion of the Argentinean World Cup winner.

In March, The New York Times reported that Zampolli, a former modeling agent, reached out to a leading official in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June to request that his Brazilian ex-girlfriend be placed in ICE custody. Zampolli was in a dispute with the woman, Amanda Ungaro, over custody of their teenage son at the time.

Ungaro was placed in ICE custody and ultimately deported. Zampolli denied to The Times asking ICE to detain Ungaro or seeking any other favors from the department.