Lorenzo Insigne, the Italy international and Toronto FC winger, expressed his hope that Italy would have the opportunity to play a 2026 World Cup game in Canada. Insigne, who played a crucial role in Italy’s victory at the 2020 Euros, emphasized the importance of considering footballers playing abroad for the national team.
In an interview with Repubblica, Insigne highlighted the need for clubs to invest in the development of young talents and for coaches to provide them with opportunities to shine, both at the club level and in the national team. He praised Luciano Spalletti for his efforts in promoting young players and acknowledged the positive results seen in the Nations League path.
Italy’s absence in the last two editions of the World Cup has been a sore point, and Insigne emphasized the importance of the national team returning to the competition and aiming for victory. As a four-time World Cup winner, Italy has a rich footballing history to uphold, and Insigne believes that they must be protagonists on the international stage.
Having spent two years in Canada, Insigne expressed his satisfaction with his experience in the country but voiced a regret regarding the exclusion of players based on their location. He questioned why Italian players abroad are automatically excluded from the national team, unlike South American players in Serie A who are allowed to travel long distances for matches.
Insigne made it clear that he is not ready to retire and is committed to giving his best to earn a place in the national team. He believes that players should be judged based on their performance and dedication rather than their location, advocating for a more inclusive approach to team selection.
Looking ahead to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Insigne is hopeful that Italy will have a strong showing and emphasized the need for ambition and determination in pursuit of victory. With his eyes set on the possibility of playing a match in Toronto, Insigne highlighted the presence of a vibrant Italian community in Canada and the warm reception he has received during his time there.
Insigne’s passion for the national team and his desire to see Italy succeed on the world stage are evident in his words, as he continues to strive for excellence and push for a more inclusive and merit-based approach to team selection.