The Financial Times reported that a senior envoy to US President Donald Trump asked FIFA, the international football governing body, to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup finals.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the newspaper: "I confirm that I proposed to Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup," adding: "I am of Italian origin, and it would give me great pleasure to see the Italian national team in finals hosted by the United States."
He concluded by saying of the Italian team: "They have an illustrious record, with four titles that qualify them to take part in the World Cup."
The newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that "the proposal is aimed at repairing relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the dispute that arose between them following the US president's criticism of Pope Leo over the war with Iran."
