Italy dismisses replacing Iran at the World Cup after suggestion by Trump official‎

Italian sports officials say four-time champion Italy is not interested in replacing Iran at the upcoming World Cup following a suggestion to that effect by a Trump administration official. Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup — the team is currently preparing to play in the U.S. despite the war in the Middle East — and FIFA has insisted its group-stage games near Los Angeles and in Seattle will go ahead as planned in June. The Financial Times reported that Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, had suggested the swap to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.