A former diplomat has revealed that he suggested to former U.S. President Donald Trump that Italy replace Iran in international soccer matches as a way to ease political tensions. The claim was made in an interview published on April 22, 2026, by the French newspaper Le Monde.
The diplomat, who was not named in the initial report, said the idea was proposed during a meeting with Trump in 2020. The suggestion was that swapping Iran for Italy in soccer competitions could serve as a symbolic gesture to reduce hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.
No official confirmation from Trump or his representatives has been provided. The story has sparked debate on social media about the intersection of sports and diplomacy.
