La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that the new World Cup format ‘helps Italy’ as the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the last two editions in Russia and Qatar.
FIFA confirmed an expanded World Cup format on Tuesday, which will start in 2026. There will be 48 teams, with 12 groups of four in the opening phase.
“When the plan for a 48-team World Cup was announced in 2016, there was a worry that the new expanded format would lower the technical level. Unquestionable,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Fabio Licari.
“The reply from Infantino was that many fans from different places would finally have the chance to see their country on TV. The only thing is that we didn’t expect to become the protagonists of the virtual debate.
“Since then, Italy has remained in front of the TV with its history: four Finals won and a movement going backwards, if not decadent.
“The possibility that Europe will have at least 16 seats in the new format, gives us more chances, much better than the unsporting wild cards, but we must be humble and recognise that this is not bad news. On the contrary, it must give us more motivation and in the end, the knock-out phase will be easier.
“Nevertheless, only 16 spots are not enough for Europe, the technical and financial leading continent of this sport. Two more places would be legitimate and hopefully, something in the continental allocation of slots will change from 2030.”