2026 World Cup: Gianni Infantino at the center of the storm; the FIGC is also coming down hard on him

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has responded harshly to remarks made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had mocked Italy’s failure to qualify, sparking a storm that went far beyond the now-familiar realm of social media. Following complaints from Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, the FIGC also issued an official statement condemning the FIFA president’s remarks.

“It was an unfortunate remark, a lapse in judgment that hurt the feelings of the entire Italian sports community. In victory and defeat, soccer teaches values, starting with respect,” reads the FIGC statement. The controversy erupted after Infantino’s interview with Brazilian TV station CazéTV, in which the FIFA president had lashed out at the Italian national team. “We discussed a World Cup with 64 teams,” Infantino had declared. “Perhaps with 64 teams, Italy will manage to qualify. Who knows, maybe we should go up to 208…”.

A remark that had struck a raw nerve in Italian soccer, fresh off three consecutive World Cup qualifying failures. The incident had already sparked bipartisan reactions in Parliament. Minister Abodi expressed regret over the “reported remarks” and announced his intention to speak directly with Infantino. Gaetano Amato, a deputy from the Five Star Movement, also launched a harsh attack: “Mocking Italy is an exercise in rare pettiness, especially coming from someone who is supposed to represent the entire world of soccer.”

Forza Italia’s Maurizio Gasparri echoed this sentiment, noting that “the FIFA president, as an Italian by birth, should have more respect for the history of the four-time world champions.” These words indicate that the bitterness over the exclusion from the 2026 World Cup is still very much alive, all the more so at the start of a World Cup that Italy can only watch as a spectator.

For several weeks, there had been talk of a possible wildcard spot given Iran’s potential withdrawal, but Infantino had made it clear he was “willing to do anything” to ensure the Persian national team’s participation. “I’m really happy that Iran will be at the World Cup after all,” the FIFA president stated a few days ago, definitively dashing any hopes for the Azzurri.