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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Players of Italy show their dejection of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Diego Coppola, Ciro Immobile and Luca Koleosho started in Paris FC’s win over Metz on Sunday, prompting the Parisiens’ coach, Antoine Kombouaré, to claim: ‘ There are more Italians here than there are Juventus or Milan. That’s why they’re not going to the World Cup.’
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Paris FC coach taunts the Azzurri: ‘There are more Italians here…’
Three Italian players, Coppola, Koloesho and Immobile started in Paris FC’s 3-1 away victory at Metz on Sunday.
Immobile and Coppola contributed to the victory with one assist each, while Koleosho, on loan from Burnley, has scored twice in 12 appearances since moving to Paris in the January window.
Paris FC’s coach Kombouaré sarcastically commented on his team’s victory, saying (via GFNF): “Today, there are more Italians playing for Paris FC than there are at Juventus or AC Milan. That’s why they’re not going to the World Cup.”
Italy have not qualified for the World Cup for the third time in a row, making their last appearance in the competition in 2014.
Furthermore, the Azzurri have not played in the knockout phase of the competition since 2006, when they went on to lift the cup after beating France on penalties in the final.
Les Blues have won the World Cup twice in their history, compared to Italy’s four, but have reached the Final in the last two editions.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
