Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup was already a painful disappointment for the four-time champions, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino has now added to the controversy with comments that angered the Italian football community.
While responding to criticism over the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, Infantino joked that the tournament could eventually grow to 64 teams — or even all 208 FIFA member nations — suggesting that “maybe then Italy could qualify.”
“Please enjoy this first 48-team World Cup. Even though we are already discussing expanding it to 64 teams, or we could even make it 208 teams. Maybe that way Italy can qualify — let’s see if they can make it,” Infantino said.
Although the comment may have been intended as a joke, it upset the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). According to reports from Italian media outlet ANSA, the federation expressed disappointment and criticised the remarks as inappropriate.
The FIGC stated that football should represent values beyond winning and losing, saying the comments were “a regrettable statement” and “a lapse in judgement” that hurt the feelings of the entire Italian sporting community.
Italy, who have won the World Cup four times, have missed the last two editions of the tournament after failing to qualify in both 2018 and 2022. Infantino’s remarks have reopened debate about the struggles of one of football’s historic nations.
