Como Disrespected? Inside Mancini's Italy Blueprint for World Cup 2026

The latest episode of the Football Italia Show tackled two of the hottest topics in the Italian game, with writer Giancarlo Rinaldi joining Lorenzo Bettoni to discuss why Como feel disrespected and how Roberto Mancini's Italy squad could shape up on the road to the 2026 World Cup. The discussion opened with Como, and Rinaldi did not hold back in defending the club's complaints. According to the show, the Lariani believe they have been shown a serious lack of respect this season, with their performances and results consistently undervalued by pundits, officials, and opponents alike. Rather than being celebrated for an ambitious project and an attractive brand of football, Como have too often found themselves on the wrong end of narratives and decisions. Bettoni and Rinaldi debated whether this amounts to genuine disrespect or simply the scrutiny that comes with life in Italian football's spotlight, making for a passionate exchange about how the club is perceived. The conversation then turned to the Azzurri and the countdown to 2026. With Italy still haunted by back-to-back qualification failures for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the panel explored what a Mancini-led squad could look like when the United States, Canada, and Mexico host the expanded 48-team tournament. The show examined the delicate balance between the experienced core that delivered European Championship glory at Euro 2020 and the new generation of talent pushing for inclusion. Rinaldi and Bettoni weighed which veterans can remain pillars through the qualifying campaign, which young players are ready to make the jump, and where the biggest selection headaches will emerge. One of the central themes was opportunity. The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup offers Italy a greater margin for error in qualifying, but the panel warned against complacency, stressing that the Azzurri's recent playoff heartbreak proves nothing can be taken for granted. Rebuilding trust with frustrated supporters, they argued, starts with a clear identity and a squad that blends continuity with fresh energy. For Italy fans dreaming of a first World Cup appearance since 2014, the episode offers plenty to digest: a spirited defence of Como's cause, a forward-looking audit of the national team's talent pool, and no shortage of opinions on the decisions awaiting Mancini. The full episode, featuring Rinaldi and Bettoni's complete discussion, is available now via Football Italia's official channels. This article is based on reporting and the Football Italia Show, originally published by Football Italia.