ROME — 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Iran at the upcoming World Cup following a suggestion to that effect by a Trump administration official.Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup — the team is currently preparing to play in the U.S. despite the war in the Middle East — and FIFA has insisted its group-stage games near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.“First of all it’s not possible. Secondly, it’s not a good idea,” Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said Thursday.While Iran was among the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, Italy missed out for the third consecutive tournament, resulting in the resignations of its national team coach and soccer federation president.Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, also dismissed the idea of taking Iran’s place.“I would feel offended,” Buonfiglio said. “You need to deserve to go to the World Cup.”Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful.”Zampolli has long been a part of the Trump family orbit, having introduced then-Melania Knauss to Donald Trump at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998. He regularly posts on social media about his meetings with Infantino, calling him the “King of Soccer.” Trump last year appointed him as special envoy for global partnerships.“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclus …
