FIFA PRESIDENT MOCKS ITALY: “MAYBE YOU WOULD QUALIFY IF WE EXPANDED THE WORLD CUP TO 64 TEAMS”
— FOOTBALL WORLD CUP DRAMA —
The Italian football nation is currently enduring a massive wave of heartbreak and public ridicule as they miss out on their third consecutive FIFA World Cup tournament. While Italian fans have had to swallow many jokes from rivals, they certainly did not expect a sharp, stinging insult from the highest authority in world football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered a highly provocative mock directed straight at the Azzurri during a recent press interview, sparking immediate outrage and political backlash across the Apennine Peninsula.
— THE CONTROVERSIAL JOKE —
During an interview with the Brazilian sports network CazéTV, Infantino was asked about the future format of the tournament. The Swiss-Italian football executive couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Italy’s shocking qualification failures:
“We have been discussing the possibility of expanding the number of participants at the World Cup to 64 teams. With that number of teams, maybe Italy would finally qualify. Or, if necessary, we could just go all the way up to 208 nations.”
The heavy irony of the comment was amplified by the timing. Infantino made the joke shortly after being intensely grilled by journalists at a brutal press conference, where he had to defend various World Cup controversies, including overpriced tickets, legal interventions by US authorities, and severe travel visa issues for people trying to enter the United States.
— ITALY RESPONDS DIPLOMATICALLY —
The reaction from Rome was swift but carefully measured. Italy’s dramatic elimination in the playoffs against Bosnia and Hercegovina earlier this spring is still a fresh, painful wound.
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi expressed deep displeasure and surprise at the FIFA president’s mocking tone, choosing a firm yet diplomatic stance:
“Given the vast physical distance between Mexico and Italy right now, it will be best if we connect over the phone. I would really like to hear that comment directly from him,” Abodi stated coldly, indicating that the Italian government intends to demand an explanation for the public humiliation.