Infantino to Italy: Maybe You’d Make the World Cup With 64 Teams

Gianni Infantino isn’t one to shy away from a headline, but his latest jab at Italy’s World Cup drought has fans in the boot-shaped nation seeing red. Speaking ahead of the World Cup opener in Mexico, the FIFA president was asked about his push to expand the tournament even further — and he decided to make it personal.

“For now, we are enjoying this first historic World Cup with 48 teams. Maybe Italy would qualify with 64 teams. I could expand it to 228 and see if they qualify,” Infantino told CazeTV, cracking a smile that only seemed to sharpen the sting.

A Record of Missed Opportunities

Italy’s absence from the World Cup has become something of a running joke in global football circles — but the Azzurri faithful aren’t laughing. Sunday’s loss in qualifying marked their third straight failure to reach football’s biggest stage. The last time Italy played in a World Cup was Brazil 2014, and since then, they’ve watched from home while nations with smaller pools of talent have taken their shot on the grandest stage.

For a four-time World Cup champion, that’s a brutal stat line. And Infantino’s remark, intended or not, reads like rubbing salt in a wound that’s already festering.

Why the Reaction Matters

The FIFA president’s comments aren’t just about Italy. They highlight a growing tension around tournament expansion itself. Infantino has already pushed the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 for this edition. Now he’s openly floating 64. Critics argue that bigger tournaments water down competition and reward mediocrity. Supporters say they grow the game globally. But dragging a specific nation into the conversation — especially one with Italy’s pedigree — feels like a deliberate provocation.

Italian media didn’t hold back. Outlets across the country called the comment disrespectful, and social media lit up with fans calling Infantino out of touch. The Italian Football Federation has not officially responded, but the damage to relations is already visible.

Infantino, for his part, didn’t back down. He doubled down on the expansion plan, hinting that the door is open for even more teams in future cycles. Whether Italy walks through it remains to be seen — but if they don’t, don’t expect the FIFA president to let them forget it.