Italian-Australians Going All In On State Of Origin Due To Lack Of World Cup Fever

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

In case you haven't yet realised, Italy are not taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This is because they aren't very good at soccer.

This is an uncomfortable and inconvenient fact that the entire italian diaspora must now contend with, particularly in Australia where Italian-Australians have traditionally enjoyed supporting two teams at each FIFA World Cup.

This dual-identity obviously culminated in a crisis in 2006, when the Socceroos faced Italy in a sudden death Round Of 16 showdown.

20 years later, Italian-Australians are now fully Socceroos-minded.

But this kind of Aussie patriotism can also result in sledging from their non-Italian mates, who are to quick ask them where they were when Italy were dominating global football.

Australia's first Italian-Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli have been subdued in their support of the Socceroos - having both previously been quoted on the record yelling AZZURI!! during the 2021 Euros.

It's because of this reason that Italian-Australians are instead channelling their energy into non-soccer sports.

And in a weird cultural reversal, it now seems that they are the only Australians not talking about soccer.

Right across Queensland and New South Wales, and even in those Sooshi Mango parts of Melbourne, Italian-Australians appear to be the only citizens talking about tomorrow night's must-win State Of Origin match.

Speaking to the Betoota Advocate today, The Queensland Premier was quick to bring up tomorrow night's match - which due to a very busy global sporting news cycle - has become the least talked about Game 2 in the history of the interstate series.

Joined by the Hinchinbrook MP Wade Chiesa, as well as Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto - the Queenslanders were dressed head to toe in Maroon and only wanted to talk about Queensland rugby league.

"Yeah the soccers been good but hopefully Ponga teaches those cockroaches a lesson tomorrow night" said the Premier.

Similar scenes have also taken place during a press conference at Parliament House today, as Prime Minister Albanese spent a couple minutes congratulating the Socceroos, before quickly mentioning how much he can't wait for the NSW Blues to stick it to Queenslanders tomorrow night.

"FORZA AZZURRI!!" he said.

"I mean, come on the Blues!!!"