‘A daily nightmare’ - how four big nations not at the World Cup are coping


People in Italy, the Netherlands, Chile and Ghana are watching the party in Russia from afar. For some it is a painful experience

Italians are not used to missing a World Cup. It is a surreal feeling and akin to living a daily nightmare, especially now the tournament is underway and providing so much entertainment and joy. Missing out, because of the crazy choices of Giampiero Ventura, the man who led Italy during the doomed qualifying campaign, hurts us all, the players included. Even now they talk about it. Even now it shocks and upsets them.

Related: Diego, Neymar and Germany’s bus: World Cup 2018 diary, week three

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