FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup made him “want to cry”.
Roberto Mancini’s facet suffered a shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia final week meaning the European champions miss out on successive World Cups for the primary time within the nation’s historical past, having additionally missed out on the 2018 event in Russia.
Infantino, who was born in Switzerland, expressed his sorrow on the prospect of one other competitors with out the Italians, having grown up watching the well-known Azzurri sides of the previous.
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What was stated?
Speaking to Rai Sport in regards to the Azzurri’s failure to reach Qatar, Infantino instructed Italian sports activities TV channel Rai Sport: “I actually want to cry.
“For all of the Italians it’s unhappy, it’s the second World Cup in a row by which the Azzurri don’t take part, and in the event that they qualify for the subsequent World Cup it will likely be 12 years of absence.
“I believe again to once I was a child, the feelings of watching the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, these are the issues that make you fall in love with soccer.
“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…”
Infantino’s closing quip was perceived to be a reference in direction of FIFA’s plans for biennial World Cup.
Last 12 months FIFA commissioned a feasbility examine into the thought of a World Cup each two years, a proposal that has confirmed massively divisive throughout world soccer.
