Prestige, roll of honor, financial impact: you can’t do without us. We would also be seeded. And the qualification criteria …
Are all happy if Italy does not go to the World Cup? Maybe. One less hassle for the others. Italy is still the team that concedes fewer goals (0.93 per game), loses fewer games (one in five, only Brazil does better), has won four finals and reached two more. The team that nobody wants to face because, they said, it doesn’t let you play. Think now that with Mancini he goes on the attack and wins. But let’s not joke. What World Cup would it be without Italy? Don’t be angry with our Portuguese, Turkish and Macedonian friends. Is not the same thing. A World Cup without Italy is like a World Cup without Brazil or Germany. A poorer World Cup in terms of history, emotions, technical-tactical wealth, prestige. Money too. And we have already made our contribution to democratic alternation in 2018. Now the World Cup wants Italy.
WE CHAMPIONS
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In Russia there were two greats missing: Italy and Holland, one with four stars on its chest and the other beautiful, yes, but a successful loser. The last champion to miss a final stage was Uruguay in 2006. The rest is prehistoric. France has qualified continuously since 1998, England since ’94, Spain since ’78, Argentina since ’74, Germany since ’54 and Brazil since ever, the only one to have never skipped a final stage.
SYSTEM TO REVIEW
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Two eliminations in a row would be a very sad record. Far be it from us to expect a Super League for national teams (after the one for clubs). But the qualification system, dear Fifa, deserves a good overhaul. Two evens were already enough to finish in the playoffs, without ever losing in the group. Then Italy and Portugal – the two best in the play-offs (by history, ranking, strength) – ended up in the same funnel. European champions 2016 and 2021. Seconds out. Let’s keep it up, let’s get hurt.
SERIES HEADS
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And the funny thing is another: Italy has yet to qualify but, if it goes to the World Cup, it will certainly be in the first pot in the Doha draw on 1 April. This paradox also explains why the World Cup cannot fail to want Italy, today in 6th place in the FIFA ranking. From the next tournament, with 48 finalists, the Europeans will be 16, not 13. But 2026 is far away, it is a distant future which we will think about in due course. Now there is the joke that the eight seeded will be: Qatar (host), Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain and one between Italy and Portugal. If Turkey or Macedonia were to pass, a fight for last place would break out between Denmark, Holland, Germany, Mexico, USA and Switzerland. It depends on the results of this round.
THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL
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Italy will be a bit down, the clubs have disappeared from the horizon of the Champions League, but in football its charm remains eternal in the world. Italy is Paolo Rossi, Zoff, Conti, Tardelli, Baggio, Maldini, Cannavaro, Buffon. The national team of Enzo Bearzot and Marcello Lippi. The team that played the “game of the century” in Mexico 70 against Germany, and which competed for the cup against Pele in 1970 and Romario in 1994 at the last penalty. Nineteen out of 22 finals. Apart from Brazil, only Germany has played one more. There is the history of football inside that blue shirt, under that scudetto with four stars. The World Cup is also a televised event on all continents, wherever there is an Italian community. It would be a great image and financial blow to give up the Azzurri for the second consecutive time.
TOWARDS QATAR
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Once again the big ones are all there. France, Germany, Spain, England, Brazil and Argentina already qualified. In truth, Uruguay is a bit shaky, but they are fourth in the South American group and, if so, they would have the play-off against the winner of Oceania (probably New Zealand). In North Central America, the USA and Mexico seem destined for Qatar with Canada. In Asia, with South Korea and Iran, Japan and Arabia should not be missing. More complicated in Africa with five thrilling challenges. But nothing comparable to Italy, which on June 1st will also go to Wembley to inaugurate the “Finalissima” against Argentina, the new intercontinental cup for national teams among the continental champions. Us against Messi. We and our history that made the World Cup great. And now the World Cup can only cheer for us.
March 23, 2022 (change March 23, 2022 | 08:48)
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