00:00A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed replacing Iran with Italy at the upcoming World Cup,
00:07according to the Financial Times.
00:09The suggestion is part of an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after recent
00:16strains over the Iran conflict.
00:21Tensions escalated after Trump criticized Pope Leo over his remarks on the U.S. war against Iran, sparking a rebuke
00:28from Meloni.
00:30U.S. Special Envoy Paolo Zampoli said it would be a dream to see Italy featured at the tournament, co
00:36-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
00:39Zampoli said he had raised the idea with both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
00:45Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing their qualifying playoff final last month, missing out for a
00:52third straight time.
00:54Meanwhile, Iran's participation has been thrown into doubt by the ongoing war with the United States and Israel.
01:00Iran's Football Federation has also said it is in talks with FIFA to relocate its matches away from the United
01:07States.
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