Infantino faces backlash after mocking Italy for failing to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Politicians in Italy have hit back at FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the ‘belittling’ comments he made about the Italy national team and their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup: ‘Nobody is more ashamed about the decline of the national team than us’.

Infantino has ruffled feathers in Italy after claiming that FIFA could seek to expand the next World Cup to ‘208 teams’ in order to guarantee that the Azzurri qualify for the next tournament.

Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final at the end of March, which meant that they would not be going to the final tournament for the third time in a row.

Italy’s shortcoming led to the immediate departures of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. Replacements for all three are yet to be appointed.

For Azzurri supporters, these facts did not need explaining, which is why many feel that Infantino was rubbing salt into the wounds when joking that FIFA should increase the number of participating nations in order to make sure that Italy qualifies for the next World Cup.

“We’ve already evaluated the possibility of expanding the tournament to 64 teams to involve even more of the world.

“That matter has been submitted to the FIFA council, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy this first edition with 48 teams. Maybe Italy could qualify with 64 teams, or we could even go up to 208 teams to make sure they participate,” Infantino joked with CazéTV (via Corriere dello Sport).

It’s fair to say that these remarks have not gone down well in Italy. Gaetano Amato, Movimento 5 Stelle MP, has since hit back at the ‘belittling’ comments made by the FIFA President.

“Does Gianni Infantino think he’s being funny about Italy not qualifying for the World Cup? We should remember that he isn’t speaking as a fan at a bar, but as the President of FIFA. A role that he also has thanks to the support of the Italian federation and which should bring balance and respect.

“Nobody is more ashamed than us about the decline of the national team and the current disaster that Italian football finds itself in. We don’t need his cheap jokes to recognise that.

“Mocking Italy is a belittling exercise, especially from someone who should represent football across the world, including Italy. The embarrassment around the Azzurri is serious. The comments from the FIFA President even more so. Abodi, please make your voice heard.”