"Zampolli confirmed he had 'recently' planted that idea with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, arguing that it would be 'good for everybody' if Italy took Iran's place."
"'Football is a game of two halves, and as we all know, it is not over until the final whistle,' he said. 'History has shown - from Denmark in '92 - that sometimes the call comes late.'"
"One person familiar with the overtures said the outreach appeared to be aimed less at Italy's politicians and more at currying favor with the Italian people."
Paolo Zampolli, U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, proposed that Italy replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup. Italy, having failed to qualify for the tournament for the third consecutive time, is not interested in this suggestion. Zampolli discussed this idea with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and mentioned it to President Trump, who has mixed feelings about Iran's participation. Zampolli referenced Denmark's late entry into the 1992 European Championship as a precedent for such a move, but Italy remains uninterested.
Read at The Washington Post
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