World Cup
Italy risk third straight World Cup absence as 2006 winners lament two‑decade decline
Italy’s failure to develop and trust young players lies at the heart of a 20-year decline, 2006 World Cup winners Massimo Oddo and Marco Amelia told Reuters, as the Azzurri head into another playoff at risk of missing a third successive finals.
After lifting the trophy 20 years ago, Italy crashed out at the group stage in the next two editions, winning just one game. They have since missed the last two World Cups, losing out in the playoffs.
Former goalkeeper Amelia says those results were not isolated setbacks.
“The victory in 2006 covered and hid the limits that the national system already had in terms of structures and preparation,” Amelia said.
“We didn’t put enough faith in promising young players, and clubs invested too little in long-term planning.
“In Serie A there’s a very high percentage of foreign players. The only way to change this is for clubs to invest more in young Italians, knowing that some of those investments might fail.”
According to former defender Oddo, Italian football has been left behind.
“Other leagues have overtaken Serie A, due to economic and infrastructural factors,” Oddo said
“Before, Italian players never went abroad. Now they do, and mediocre players arrive in Italy, taking space away from Italians. Italian football should modernise the youth sector, because the talent exists, but is not well supported.”
Oddo, now coach of AC Milan’s reserve team, believes a complete mentality shift is needed.
“Much more should be invested in those who are called coaches and turn them into educators,” he said.
“You have to focus a lot on the individual growth of the boys, not so much on results. Today, the coach is questioned even in the youth sector. Everyone expects results, and if results don’t come, the coach is replaced.
“Where this kind of problem exists, the coach ends up playing the boy who is perhaps readier, but who has less long-term potential.”
A FALSE DAWN
Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph briefly masked deeper problems.
“At both the World Cup and Euros we won, Italy did what it had to do, relying on a strong defensive unit,” Oddo said.
“(Alessandro) Nesta, (Marco) Materazzi, (Gianluca) Zambrotta in 2006, (Giorgio) Chiellini and (Leonardo) Bonucci at the Euros.
“And the great defenders we once had – I believe Chiellini was the last truly great Italian defender – no longer exist.”
Amelia agreed that the Euros were not a turning point, pointing to the current qualifying campaign that included two heavy defeats by Norway and left Italy as group runners-up.
“Italy won the Euros playing a more modern football, but also relying on what has always been our DNA – the ability to defend well,” he said.
“In qualifying we conceded too much. Now we need to think about results, and results come from teams that know how to defend well and make the most of their attacking qualities.”
Italy’s only previous failure to reach a World Cup before this barren spell came in 1958, when they finished behind Northern Ireland in their qualifying group.
On Thursday they face the same opponent in a playoff semi-final in Bergamo, with the winners travelling to meet Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina for a place at the finals.
“Failing to qualify for the World Cup would be an enormous blow, above all on an economic level,” Oddo said.
“Also for everything around football, the media, the fans. This lack of results at international level dents the enthusiasm of the fans, which is fading, that’s the harsh reality.”
Amelia believes the outcome of the playoff should not distract from the wider issues.
“Not qualifying wouldn’t be a disaster,” he said.
“It would simply be a reality that needs to be analysed properly, because even if we do qualify, the problems of Italian football remain the same.”
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
World Cup
VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
This Wednesday, 8 July, it will be 36 years since 10-World Cup-capped journalist, Kunle Solaja, watched his first World Cup final match at the imposing Stadio Olimpico in Rome when the then West Germany beat defending champion, 1-0, in the first ever final match to be decided by a single penalty kick goal and the first in which a red card was issued.
In commemoration of Solaja’s10 World Cup coverage achievement, GHM Communications, a fast-rising post-production company based in Nigeria, has produced a compelling video documentary that pays tribute to veteran Nigerian sports journalist and publisher of Sports Village Square, Kunle Solaja, chronicling an extraordinary career that has taken him to 10 consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
The production, titled around Solaja’s “10 World Cups” milestone, traces a journey that began with a young football enthusiast and evolved into one of Africa’s most enduring World Cup reporting careers.
Using a blend of archival footage, photographs and contemporary images from the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, the documentary highlights Solaja’s unique place among the select group of journalists worldwide who have covered the global football spectacle over such a prolonged period.
The video opens with evocative football imagery before taking viewers through memorable moments from previous World Cups, including iconic scenes featuring football legends and historic tournament matches. It then shifts focus to Solaja’s personal experiences, showcasing his presence at various World Cup venues and media centres across different host nations.
A recurring theme throughout the documentary is the evolution of football journalism over the past three decades and Solaja’s ability to remain relevant through changing technologies, reporting methods and media platforms.
The production also revisits some of the milestones that have defined his professional journey, including his extensive travels, interactions with global football personalities and his commitment to documenting African participation at the World Cup.
Several images featured in the documentary reflect Solaja’s long-standing association with international sports journalism bodies, including the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and FIFA, underscoring the recognition he has received within the global media community.
The documentary culminates with scenes from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Solaja is once again on assignment, completing a remarkable sequence of World Cup appearances stretching from Italia ’90 to the current tournament.
For Nigerian sports journalism, the achievement represents more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to dedication, resilience and a lifelong passion for football reporting.
Having witnessed the World Cup across four decades, multiple continents and several generations of football stars, Solaja’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists and a reminder of the enduring value of specialised sports reporting.
The GHD production captures that legacy vividly, celebrating not just 10 World Cups, but a career devoted to telling the stories behind the world’s biggest sporting event.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ entering its decisive phase, adidas has unveiled the TRIONDA FINAL, a specially designed Official Match Ball that will be used for the semi-finals, bronze-medal match and final of the record-breaking tournament.
The new ball represents a significant departure from previous FIFA World Cup traditions. While past tournaments typically introduced only colour variations for the latter stages, TRIONDA FINAL features an entirely new premium design that reflects the prestige of the competition’s concluding matches.
Finished in striking gold, white and black, the ball draws inspiration from the journey towards football’s most coveted prize. Its gold accents pay tribute to the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the black base gives it a bold and sophisticated appearance befitting the tournament’s biggest occasions.
TRIONDA FINAL builds on the original TRIONDA Official Match Ball, first unveiled in October 2025, retaining the same high-performance construction while introducing a design tailored specifically for the final four matches.
One of the ball’s most distinctive features is its tribute to the 16 Host Cities that have staged matches during the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. The four cities hosting the tournament’s climax—Dallas, Atlanta, Miami and New York New Jersey—are prominently incorporated into the main design elements.
The remaining host cities—Boston, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Monterrey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver—are embedded within the ball’s triangular graphics, ensuring their contribution to the tournament is celebrated until the final whistle.
“The TRIONDA FINAL ball for the last four matches of the FIFA World Cup is here,” said Gianni Infantino.
“The iconic TRIONDA has brought so much joy every time it has hit the back of the net in this FIFA World Cup, and it perfectly embodies the unity and passion of the tournament’s host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
Infantino added that the ball would serve as a lasting symbol of the cities that have helped stage the tournament.
“For the final four matches of the tournament, this TRIONDA FINAL will be at the feet of the best players on the planet. Through every touch, dribble, flick, pass, cross, save, strike and goal, the 16 cities that have helped FIFA stage the record-breaking 23rd edition of the tournament will be further etched into FIFA World Cup folklore.”
Beyond its aesthetics, the TRIONDA FINAL also incorporates the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology, which provides real-time ball data to assist match officials in making faster and more accurate decisions while offering enhanced performance insights throughout the game.
The ball will make its debut in the semi-finals before taking centre stage in the bronze-medal match and the final in New York New Jersey, where the world champions of the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged will be crowned.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan will not be watching any more of the World Cup, he said on Tuesday, blaming refereeing errors for his country’s heartbreaking elimination from the tournament at the hands of Argentina.
Egypt were 2-0 up with 11 minutes left of their last 16 clash against the holders Argentina, agonisingly close to one of the great World Cup upsets, only to concede three goals in the closing stages and go out.
They were picked apart at the end of the game by a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback, but Hassan insisted his team were better.
“I’m going home and won’t be watching any more games from the tournament,” he told a press conference.
“What happened to us wasn’t fair. We should have had a penalty; a goal was disallowed, and I don’t know why it was disallowed.”
Egypt netted in the 62nd minute through Mostafa Zico, but a VAR check found there was a foul from the Egyptians in the buildup.
They also claimed a late penalty after a tug on Hamdy Fathy, and their anger was exacerbated by Argentina going down the other end and scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
“Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you’re entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions,” said Hassan, whose press conference was a litany of complaints.
“I’m the type of person who hates losing. And when it’s a defeat that feels unjust like today’s, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy,” he added.
“But what made me happy was that my players followed the game plan on many occasions and worked very well.”
Egypt had been surprisingly attacking early on in the game, a departure from Hassan’s usual tactic of playing with a tight defence and looking for counter-attack opportunities.
It helped them take an early lead, but it was the heroics of goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir that ensured they remained in front by halftime.
“I’m very, very satisfied with the effort they put in. Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment,” Hassan added.
“Yet with predominantly local players — besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush — we were able to compete with anyone.”
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
adidas Unveils Gold-Coloured TRIONDA FINAL Ball For World Cup’s Closing Stages
Hossam Hassan Blames Refereeing Decisions For Egypt’s Heartbreaking Exit
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup6 days ago
What a Load of Rubbish! How Senegal Threw Away a World Cup Dream
- World Cup2 days ago
Bizarre! FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US v Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump
- World Cup1 week ago
Beyond the World Cup: A Journalist’s Reflection at Ground Zero
- World Cup6 days ago
Cry for Africa, My Beloved Continent: How four decades of World Cup heartbreak continue to haunt African football
- World Cup6 days ago
Celebrating a Decade of World Cup Coverage: A Tribute to Kunle Solaja
- World Cup4 days ago
Pharaohs End World Cup Knockout Hoodoo, Beat Australia on Penalties to Reach Last 16
- World Cup1 week ago
Mbappe Double Fires France into Last 16 as Sweden Swept Aside
- World Cup2 days ago
Article 27: The Little-Known FIFA Rule Behind Balogun’s World Cup Reprieve