Qatar, an Italian immediately on the field at the World Cup: he is Daniele Orsato

Qatar-Ecuador to Orsato

Immediately an Italian on the field at the World Cup to be played in Qatar. Daniele Orsato has been chosen as the referee to direct the opening match: the highly anticipated contest will pit the hosts Qatar and Ecuador against each other and will be played at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 20.

At 46 years old, the Venetian referee is one of the most experienced referees in Asia: after all, he has been on the Fifa list since 2010.

For the second edition in a row, no Italian national team at the final stage of the World Cup. The failure to qualify, however, did not cost Roberto Mancini his job with whom, it should be remembered, the Azzurri triumphed in the European championships whose semifinals and finals were played in London’s legendary Wembley Stadium. Italy has won the World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982, with Enzo Bearzot at the helm, and in 2006, when the national team’s coach was Marcello Lippi, beating Raymond Domenech’s France in the final on penalties.