Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, Trump’s envoy is sure: "Already convinced Infantino"

Donald Trump’s special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport revived the chances of Italy’s repechage to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The situation in the Middle East is tense and Iran’s participation is increasingly in doubt: according to Zampolli, it is a unique opportunity for Italy.

“With Trump’s support, I contacted Infantino because the Fifa regulations are flawed on replacing a team that does not show up and if Iran did not participate in the World Cup, Italy – which has won it four times and is the highest of the excluded in the ranking – would have the right requirements. The crux is figuring out what the Iranians have in mind, which is very difficult to trust. Now they say the team will come, but what about their following, which is very unwelcome in the United States given what is going on? The game is open….”

In Italy, the possibility of repechage has divided fans: “I can understand that, but how do you think the Italians would react if the national team played the World Cup? Would they cheer as only we know how or would they not watch the competitions because we didn’t qualify on the field?”

Zampolli is very confident: “I don’t think more pressure will be needed on Infantino. Time is short, I already convinced him last year to make the World Cup draw at the Trump-Kennedy Center. The fact of having Italian origins? It will only make things easier.”

The Trump envoy revealed that he is an Inter fan: “When I was young I used to go to the stadium in the Curva Nord with the Boys. I am happy that Inter won the Scudetto, but I am not a die-hard fan. I experience sports as a medium that unites and allows for business.”