A top envoy to US President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Axar.az informs, citing the FT, according to people familiar with the matter, the plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.

US special envoy Paolo Zampolli suggested the swap to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Trump, as leader of the country co-hosting the tournament. He argued that Italy’s four World Cup titles justify awarding it the slot.