Nigeria, April 24 -- The idea was floated by Paolo Zampolli, a US special envoy, who reportedly urged both Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino to allow Italy into the tournament in place of Iran.

Zampolli argued that Italy's pedigree as four-time champions made them a worthy inclusion, even though they failed to qualify.

"I'm an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament," he said, according to the Financial Times, framing the proposal as both symbolic and sporting.

The suggestion is also believed to carry political undertones, tied to efforts to ease tensions between Trump and Giorgia Meloni following disagreements over remarks about Pope Leo XIV and the Iran conflict.

But football's governing...