oh come on.. people are wondering why hes cheering for the azzurri? I can maybe count on my hand the amount of Italo-Canadese who would prefer Canada to win. 99% of people i know personally would be going for Italy. I'm sure that goes for all the other ethnic groups. Portugal vs Canada, they're cheering for portugal. Greece vs Canada, the greeks would be greek, etc etc
More because Italy could potentially play Wales in March but IIRC the September window Canada beat Wales in Wales. While it was only a friendly and not at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the match was heated. Enough so the Wales Manager said afterwards he would love to have another crack at Canada. Point being. Wales can be beaten. Absolutely no ********ing reason Italy cannot show up and belt to ass in this Path. Craig Bellamy, Manager of Wales, will just have to wait longer for his rematch.
To be clear, that particular guy is very clear he is supoorting Canada that day. I was mainly posting that tweet for the one underneath it for that picture. I would have preferred they play each other in the 3rd match with 6 Points banked by both. *again assuming such a match takes place. Who knows how such a match plays out but I have my ideas. It actually sucks that this group whoever plays is going to rack up the air miles early on. If Italy do qualify, they could potentially set up a base on the west coast given how Game 2 and 3 and then early knockout rounds (according to comments upthread) will take place on the west coast.
Jesse Marsch on Canadian TV talking about Group B. He will know *****Yes. I am aware Italy are not qualified. Incidentally that interviewer is mainly a hockey pundit but he has been going to World Cups since 1998. He's told the story of him discussing the Italy lineup with the late Cesare Maldini. Maldini replied that everybody including the Pope have their opinions on what the Italy lineup should be, lol.
According to Gazzeta the first opponent of the knockout phase would probably be affordable: if we were to win the group we would cross the third of another group; if we came second we would find the second of the group formed by Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and another winner of the European play-offs.
That is if they qualify… Let’s just first hope and concentrate on beating both N. Ireland and then either Wales or Bosnia!
Wales FA mention the Draw CWPAN Y BYD FIFA 2026 🏆Our potential @FIFAWorldCup opponents have been confirmed should we progress through the play-offs... pic.twitter.com/EOGLrqVowp— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) December 5, 2025 Northern Ireland FA mentioned the Draw Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland “will stay grounded” after today’s #FIFAWorldCup2026draw, but insists this young squad “has an opportunity to reach a World Cup” and will “give everything it has” to get there 🟢⚪️ Read the full story and reaction 👇 #GAWA…— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) December 5, 2025 Bosnia FA mention the Draw U Kennedy centru u Vašingtonu večeras je održan žrijeb FIFA Svjetskog prvenstva 2026. koje će biti održano u Sjedinjenim Američkim Državama, Kanadi i Meksiku.https://t.co/5zgqkK09eW pic.twitter.com/2LbgfOxw4b— NFS BIH (@NFSBiH) December 5, 2025 Saw a few videos and comments by BIH fans about the Draw. All acceptable. Italy fans do it and it has to be pointed out they haven't even qualified yet. Man, we know its subject to qualification.
It’s obvious we have to qualify first. But it’s also normal to speak about our potential group. What are we supposed to do? Ignore the draw? Every italian fan knows how difficult is to qualify first for many reasons!
Everyone has to be focused on qualifying and only that. However it’s impossible to pretend that a World Cup draw has not been done. As far as I can see it, I hope it works as a boost for us to qualify because everyone believed that because of pot 4 we could be in a very difficult group. Many said that maybe it’s better not to qualify at all because we will have a humiliating World Cup if we qualify. I disagree. Let’s focus on qualifying. This is the most important thing. If we do, we can then analyse all the rest!
Nah. All fans of all playoff teams are free to discuss their groups if they qualify. It's understood its subject to qualification. Fukk sakes. People here discuss 17 YO's who have a good season as potential NT or important players for their clubs and it's fine. But discuss a *possible* WC Group subject to qualifying and people are encouraged to be muted.
You’re free to say anything you want. I just don’t know how any Italian can get ahead of themself right now considering the depressing state our national team. Not just here, but on FB, twitter, Italian socials. Fans are talking like it’s a forgone conclusion that we qualified. Italian Canadians already stating their loyalties as if that game has already been booked. When I read these comments I feel like vomiting because I don’t think the reality has set in. We are risking failing to qualify for our 3rd WC in a row. A scenario that is probable and realistic given the history of the last 8 years. We need to be focused on what’s in front of us. And if we qualify, we have the scenario that Gravina and the rest of the dinosaur crew stay on. Nothing changes in the national program. And we are forever stuck in this downward spiral because the changes that need to be made will never get made. These are the things that I think about right now when I think about the Azzurri and Italian talent. But carry on.
there is no way to rate Italy at the moment because we won't know what state we would be in. If we can organize the defence stay healthy and smash the qualifying then ok its a new day as things stand and not knowing who would be healthy in 4 months and the mental state our defending is in we could lose to any team in the world not named San Marino. There is simply nothing to discuss. I wish this wasn't so. On paper best case scenario anything is possible. We have to see it to believe it at this point. We simply have to kill the ghost of the playoff. Many Canadian friends have messaged me and my reply is thinking about the playoff just makes me sick to my stomach so anything beyond that is beyond reach. 4 months.
Thank You. Kinda going in circles but it really doesn't matter what we all think or heads would have rolled in 2010 and systemic changes made. If these bums don't qualify then they don't deserve it. The more important part is those in Italy haven't been cocksure of qualifying. Anyhow we can say how Alphonso Davies would skin a bum like Di Lorenzo alive but it's fair to say if should Italy qualify Tonali would win a Midfield battle against Stephen Estaquiao who is collecting splinters out his ass on Porto bench. I'm more dismayed at how people don't think Switzerland aren't favorites to win the group.
I wish we qualify and also important changes occur in italian football too. I can’t think of failing to participate in a 3rd world cup in a row so drastic changes can occur. Let’s not forget that it was unthinkable we would’t qualify for World Cup 2018. But we didn’t. Everyone was talking about Apocalypse. However nothing drastic happened. Not even when we failed for the 2nd time in a row. Who quarantee us that if we fail again we will see drastic changes? Gravina has already stated that it’s not necessary he will resign if we fail! Unbelievable! Let’s qualify for God’s sake!
I am thinking more about 2028 and 2030 at this point and yes the future but even a limp world cup world be worlds better than missing 3 in a row. It is odd because the last 20 years I have seen Italy win a world cup win a euro and play in a 2nd euro final as well as go out on penalties to strong teams so I can't really complain as a die hard Italy fan. But I do think about the people well under 20 years old that have never really seen Italy play in a world cup while they were conscious enough to understand it. For this alone it is a must. We have fundamental problems but there is a base to build on here. Players like Tonali Calafiori Bastoni Donnarumma even Barella who is already 28 will be the leaders in 2028 and 2030 and they need the experience here. Many players will likely not make it to 2028/2030 and hopefully the young players coming through can make us more balanced in those years but still this is still a period where we can build a foundation to become contenders again.
FWIW, Jesse Marsch seemed OK to draw Switzerland and even was caught by lip-readers saying "amazing" when Qatar was pulled. But seems more concerned about a potential Italy. Given that he lives in the boot wouldn't his opinion carry weight. Believe me I know full well Italy should win Path A which means they won't.
My main thought right now is how do we make a formation with both Calafiori Di Marco and Bastoni/Buongiorno. I like the idea of Calafiori as a CDM protecting a back 4 but I also like the idea of a 4141 with Calafiori at LB and DiMarco at LM. Or a flat 442 Simeone style if we really want to play with two CFs. And of course a 352 which is what you'd think we are suited for though it never works. 442 -----------------------Pio----------Retegui DiMarco----------Tonali-------------Barella------Orsolini -----Calafiori-----Buongiorno----Scalvini-----Kayode -------------------------------Gigio 4141 ------------------------------Retegui DiMarco----------Tonali-------------Barella------Orsolini ----------------------------------Ricci -----Calafiori-----Buongiorno----Scalvini-----Kayode -------------------------------Gigio 352 ----------------------------Pio-----Retegui DiMarco----------Tonali-------------Barella------Palestra ----------------------------------Ricci ---------------Calafiori-----Buongiorno----Scalvini-
This is the one of the only things he has done. The Prandelli Project is a new FIGC initiative led by former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, working alongside Gennaro Gattuso but on a separate track. As technical director, Prandelli, together with World Cup winners Simone Perrotta and Gianluca Zambrotta (and other ex-Azzurri) is tasked with strengthening Italian football from the bottom up: developing the technical skills and mentality of young players in the academies and grassroots age groups, supporting the youth sector and the FIGC technical department, and acting as a bridge between Club Italia, the youth national teams and the senior side, with less obsession over tactics and more focus on individual quality and long-term talent development.
I think the draw was good for Switzerland Canada and Qatar could be 6pts for them. It is a new format in reality the round of 32 is basically the 5th group game and thats where we will see "the group of death" games prevent big teams from reaching the last 16. Most of the groups seem like big teams going home is unlikely. Only Frances group is very strong but we will see it is a new format have to let it play out. For Canada it is a relatively tough group even if it is Bosnia/Wales...Qatar is a must win for them and even if they get through to make it to the last 16 will be a big ask which again for me is the real making it out the group.
I love that idea by Fabio Capello using Calafiori in front of the Defence. But are two 1-off's the time? He has good numbers with club at LB. Leave him there.
It works if you want to play Di Marco at LB in a back 4 and need coverage. In a way yes this is the time to do it because we are desperate for a solid defensive solution. I don't fear us not being able to score at least 1 goal and there is no reason why Wales Bosnia and N.Ireland should be able to score 2 goals against us if we are organized because their attacks are not very strong..but as we saw against Israel and many other times we are simply giving goals away in our current state. Literally beating ourselves. For Arsenal is a hybrid LB he goes into the box he inverts he defends like a CB at times. Gatusso I fear does not have any of these instructions in his locker. So it likely won't happen. But hypothetically Barella and Tonali could drop deep to play the ball and he could both make runs from deep centre midfield and help protect a back 4. Id rather have him as a 6 than Cristante. -----------------Chiesa-----------Retegui-------Orsolini ----------------------Tonali-----------------------Barella --------------------------------------Calafiori ------DiMarco---------Buongiorno-------Scalvini------Kayode
If Italy doesn’t qualify , I also don’t believe anything will change. They said drastic changes are coming in 2018 and 2022 and nothing changed. All I can see that could change things is placing a foreign player limit but that will never happen because the clubs will still employ a total of only 3-4 Italian on their rosters.