“Italy not getting into the World Cup makes me cry”

Italy suffered a shock defeat to North Macedonia last week, causing the defending European champions to miss out on two consecutive World Cups for the first time. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was born in Switzerland but has Italian roots, expressed sadness at the prospect of the World Cup without the “air army”. Infantino’s youth is associated with Italian teams.

FIFA President told the channel Rai Sport: “I really want to cry. For the Italians, they have not seen their home team in the World Cup for eight years. If they get to the next World Cup, it will be 12 years of absence.”

“I remember when I was a child, the emotions of watching Italy at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, two tournaments that nurtured my love of football. It’s sad for the kids of Italy now. But we have to accept it. Accept it, the World Cup currently only has 32 slots.”

Mr. Gianni is the most active initiator and campaigner for the project of organizing the World Cup every two years. Last year, FIFA released a feasibility study on the idea of ​​​​hosting the World Cup every two years, a proposal that caused a major divide in world football.