Skip to content
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 06: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Torino FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne is happy he’s helped a new generation of Belgian footballers to ‘grow’ but admits Italy missing out on the World Cup is a ‘huge loss.’
- Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News – Free Trial – Click Here
Napoli and Belgium star De Bruyne released an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport during which he obviously faced some questions about Italy missing out on the World Cup for the third time in a row.
De Bruyne on Italy crisis: Level in Europe ‘higher and higher’
“I think the level in Europe is getting higher and higher. It’s not easy to win every match, and even the smaller national teams can build decent squads and get results,” said the Napoli star.
“Of course, not going to the World Cup for a country like Italy is a huge loss. But there’s nothing that can be done about it.”
Is Italian football in a crisis?
“Maybe. If you don’t qualify for the World Cup three times in a row, maybe you are,” KDB replied.
“But I don’t know the details. I don’t know the structure or the philosophy, from the youth level up to the top. So I can’t really say.”
Belgium have qualified for the World Cup and have been placed in Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.
“It’s always special. Everything is moving in the right direction,” De Bruyne said.
“Representing your country is an honour. I know people expect a lot from me. I have to help this new generation grow so we can go far. It’s different from the past, but I like it.”
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
