ZURICHBURG
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup made him “want to cry”.
According to a football news website, the head of football’s world governing body laments the Azzurri’s failure to reach Qatar.
“For all the Italians it is sad, it is the second World Cup in a row in which the Azzurri do not participate, and if they qualify for the next World Cup it will be 12 years of absence,” Infantino said, while talking to Rai Sport.
“For all the Italians it is sad, it is the second World Cup in a row in which the Azzurri do not participate, and if they qualify for the next World Cup it will be 12 years of absence.
“I think back to when I was a kid, the emotions of watching the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, these are the things that make you fall in love with football.
“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 final quip was perceived to be a reference towards FIFA’s plans for biennial World Cup.
Last year FIFA commissioned a feasbility study into the idea of a World Cup every two years, a proposal that has proven hugely divisive across world football.
