Local Disappointment for Italian Communities
The World Cup is just a few weeks away in the New York area, but some well-known neighborhoods in the city feel overlooked—especially after the Italian team failed to qualify yet again.
Many Italian-Americans are grappling with their national pride, frustrated by the team’s failure to make the cut for the third consecutive tournament.
On Arthur Avenue, a renowned gourmet destination in the Bronx, locals who live and breathe soccer are trying to shift their focus back to the sport.
David Greco, who runs Mike’s Deli Italian Hot Pot, expressed the disappointment felt in the community. “It’s definitely a blow, especially here,” he mentioned, adding that he now watches soccer games while enjoying a Neapolitan beer.
Despite being a dedicated fan, Greco can’t shake the frustration over Italy’s struggles to field a competitive team. The fact that the tournament is so close—in the Meadowlands, New Jersey—only amplifies the local disappointment.
Italy also missed the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, although they did clinch the Euro 2020 title—delayed until 2021 due to the pandemic.
“It’s unbelievable that they couldn’t pull together a team this time. They really need to step up,” he said, admitting he’s unsure which team to support now.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, featuring 48 teams, and is expected to draw thousands of tourists to the Big Apple, with several matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium.
Fans from the Italian community are now left to adopt a new team to rally behind or mourn for their own.
Orazio Calciotto, who owns Casa della Mozzarella nearby, was disheartened upon hearing the news. “It made me feel very bad, very bad,” he reflected. “I was really looking forward to it. When you wake up and find there’s an Italy game, it makes the day better!”
Calciotto mentioned not just the national pride at stake but also concerns about how the absence of the Italian team might impact his business. “It really hurts in terms of business.”
“When Italy plays, people gather—buying sandwiches, mozzarella, and cannoli. It’s a good time,” he explained, though he believes he could still find a team to support. “I’m an American citizen and an Italian citizen. So I’ve got a reason to cheer for the U.S. too!”
In Rossville, Staten Island, where a significant portion of residents are Italian, locals shared their concerns about losing the vibrant atmosphere that comes with rooting for Italy.
“The energy is electric when Italy’s playing!” said Lucille Borgese, owner of Hot Shots Sports Bar. She noted that the crowd’s excitement tends to vanish when Italy is no longer a factor.
“We were all cheering, I even had the Italian flag, and once they were out, it felt like the lights went off in the bar,” she recalled.
Moreover, some local businesses worry about the financial implications of Italy’s absence from the tournament.
“Italian-Americans are the best tippers! When their team wins, tipping goes through the roof. I wish that standard was still there for Italy,” mentioned bartender Trina Scott at Hot Shots.
