FIFA President Gianni Infantino ‘feels like crying’ because Italy are out of the second consecutive World Cup, but dropped another hint he’s pushing for the tournament every two years.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament after losing the play-off to Sweden over two legs, while they won’t be in Qatar in November and December 2022 thanks to a 1-0 home defeat to North Macedonia.
“I feel like crying,” Infantino told RAI Sport when asked about the situation in Doha today.
“It is sad for all Italians, the second World Cup in a row without the Azzurri participating. If they qualify for the next tournament, it will still be a 12-year absence.”
Italy are the most successful European side in the history of the World Cup, winning it four times, second only on the global stage to Brazil’s five editions.
“I think back to when I was a kid, the emotions of watching the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, these are the things that make you fall in love with football,” added Infantino.
“It’s sad for the Italian children, but this is the situation, only 32 can qualify and the World Cup is every four years. For now…”
FIFA are continuing to push the ide of a World Cup tournament every two years, despite it being remarkably unpopular among the majority in Europe and even South America.
Infantino gave a very different interview today at the FIFA Congress, insisting FIFA had not proposed the idea of the biennial World Cup, but rather they had been asked to consider it by the Congress.
Infantino: “Italia fuori dai Mondiali? Mi viene da piangere…” https://t.co/E3xuvqCdq8
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) March 31, 2022
If they make the world cup happen every 2 years, it will lose its prestige. No point in doing that.
If they hold the world cup every 2 years Infantino will end up doing more than just crying, he will be completely suicidal because Italy will be non-qualifying a hell of a lot sooner and a hell of a lot more often!
Is it true that if Iran is disqualified then Italy will get its place?
The Iranian national team climbed with authority
And some who failed to climb were looking for an excuse to be in Qatar anyway, so they fantasized.
Yes, this was the story of Iran and Italy
Italy was greedy for Iran’s participation in the World Cup
But FIFA poured boiling water on their hands so that they would miss the World Cup again
And that was it
The end of the story is the presence of the Italian team in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
.
Don’t be fooled by this snake
Sten, do not believe anything on this principal. It is all rubbish. Unfortunately, we did not make it and lets just get on with it. FIFA are very responsible for this as they have done everything for other countries to get to the WC and unfortunately European countries have had to pay the price. If you think about it, they only lost the Semi of a ridiculous system and they are out. The fact that they are 6th and have won the Euros means nothing. Lets now get on with everything else and try to become a world force again. On a good note the U19 and U21 are doing well. We also played well against Turkey away and Mancio is with us until 2026 so I feel it already we will do well again.
Increase number of Italians in Serie A and B, or else.
lol@Akbar. “The Iranian national team climbed with authority”. WTF does that mean?
Italy isn’t greedy for anyone’s place. Maybe Qatar wants Iran out, because TV ratings for their games won’t be good.
No one cares anymore. Italy won’t participate. We’re fine with that. We are looking forward to some Italy Nations League games in June and the next Euro qualifications.
Good luck to Iran, England, USA and the European playoff winner (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine).