Gianni Infantino has been under fire for several days with all the controversies linked to this 2026 World Cup in the United States. Thursday, on the sidelines of the opening match between Mexico and the United States, the President of FIFA found nothing better to do than to get himself into trouble by wanting to joke about Italy’s absence at this World Cup.
Asked by Brazilian television about increasing the number of nations in this 2026 edition, Gianni Infantino replied: “We even discussed the possibility of moving to 64 teams in order to involve the world of football more. The proposal was discussed in the Council, but for now, let’s enjoy this first edition with 48 countries.”
Before adding with a smile: “With 64 teams, Italy could perhaps qualify. We could even go up to 228 teams and see if it’s possible.”
The joke takes a political turn in Italy
Born in Brig, in Valais, Gianni Infantino has Italian nationality. He perhaps felt legitimate to joke about the absence of the Squadra Azzura at the World Cup for the third time in a row. But this joke did not make anyone laugh at all in Italy. It even took a political turn, as revealed by the “Gazzetta Dello Sport”.
“Let’s not forget that Gianni Infantino is not speaking as a supporter in a bar, but as President of FIFA,” said Gaetano Amato, member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. A role that he occupies thanks to the support of the Italian Federation and which should impose balance, respect and a sense of institutional responsibility. We are the first to be ashamed of the decline of our selection, we do not need bad taste jokes to see it.
