Italy’s cricket side reaches T20 World Cup as football team still in playoffs. The national cricket team qualified for the Twenty20 World Cup, the sport’s premier global tournament, while Italy’s football squad must still navigate European playoffs to earn a spot at the FIFA World Cup [1].
Assistant coach Kevin O’Brien jokes about football players taking inspiration. O’Brien told reporters that football players might look at cricket’s recent successes and draw lessons, delivering the comment with a tongue‑in‑cheek tone [1].
Player Ben Manenti urges fans to back cricket if football misses out. Manenti warned that if the Azzurri fail to qualify, supporters will have only one World Cup to follow and should therefore rally behind the cricket team [1].
Cricket’s roots in Italy trace back to the 19th‑century Milan Football and Cricket Club. Historical records show AC Milan’s predecessor included a cricket wing when founded in 1899, though the sport later faded from the national scene [1].
Foreign‑born talent and five home‑based players bolster the World Cup squad. The current roster combines expatriate players with five Italians based locally, reflecting the Italian Cricket Federation’s recent focus on grassroots development [1].
Federation hopes the tournament will spark long‑term growth of the game. O’Brien said exposure from the World Cup will inspire Italians, but building a cricket culture will require sustained investment and time [1].