Gianni Infantino jokes Italy might qualify if World Cup expands to 64 teams | OneFootball

FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a barbed joke about Italy while discussing further expansion of the World Cup finals.

He was in playful mood on Thursday around Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa, the World Cup opener. "We even discussed the possibility of going to 64 teams to involve more of the football world. The proposal was debated at the Council, but for now, let's enjoy this first edition. With 64 teams, Italy might qualify. Maybe we would even have to go to 228," he told CazéTV.

This year’s tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams, and Infantino referenced that another expansion could come as early as 2030.

Italy failed to reach the World Cup for a third successive time, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs on 31 March, 1-1 after extra time and 1-4 on penalties. They have not appeared at the tournament since 2014.

The remark drew criticism in Italy. Deputy Gaetano Amato said the FIFA president, a role he said was secured with the Italian federation’s support, should show balance, respect and institutional responsibility, adding that Italians do not need tasteless jokes to recognise the national team’s decline. He called the quip petty, particularly from someone representing world football, Italy included.

Source: L'Équipe