FIFA president under fire
Marco Tardelli, who lifted the World Cup with Italy in 1982, has strongly condemned FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a remark about the nation's absence from the tournament. Infantino quipped that 'with 64 teams, Italy might finally qualify. Maybe we should go up to 228.' The comment infuriated Tardelli, who accused Infantino of showing disrespect toward the Italian national team. Tardelli stated:
'He has no right to say such things, especially as FIFA president.'
Italy's World Cup drought continues
Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. The team last appeared in the tournament in 2014, where they were eliminated in the group stage under head coach Cesare Prandelli. During qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, Italy finished second in their group behind Spain and then lost to Sweden in the playoffs, falling 1-0 in the first leg and drawing 0-0 in the second. In qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, the team again came up short, finishing behind France in their group and losing 1-0 to North Macedonia in the playoffs.
This information was reported by journalist Nicolò Schira on his X social media account, with coverage also appearing in the Ukrainian media outlet Glavcom.
Tardelli's criticism highlights not only the frustration surrounding Italy's failures but also the importance of the FIFA president's role in shaping global football's image. Italy's absence from the World Cup could have lasting consequences for fans and the development of football in the country, particularly as future qualifiers approach. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the issues of qualification and support for the national team remain pressing for Italian sports.
The fallout from Infantino's comments continues to escalate, as Italy's sports authorities have now taken action. The Italian Sports Minister has summoned the FIFA president for a discussion regarding his remarks, emphasizing the growing frustration over Italy's struggles in international football. This situation underlines the critical need for accountability within FIFA as the nation seeks to reclaim its former glory on the world stage.