Mancini Believes Italy Can Still Win The World Cup

JAKARTA - Italy national team coach Roberto Mancini is optimistic that his country can still win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, even though they have to go through the play-offs to qualify for the finals of the competition.

The Azzurri finished second in World Cup Qualifying Group C after drawing 0-0 with Northern Ireland in their final group game on Tuesday.

Italy will have to go through the play-offs if they are to qualify for Qatar next year, but Mancini believes his team are still favorites to win the World Cup.

"We can't do anything now, we have this match (play-off) in March and will try to give our best," Mancini told RAI Sport, cited from Antara, Wednesday.

"It's a shame, because we should have sealed the (World Cup) ticket long before it got like this. We just need to rediscover what has characterized us so far," added the former Inter Milan and Manchester City coach.

"We had two missed penalties in the decisive game, so it showed we had a chance to win."

"Now we are preparing for March's game and we go into the play-offs with confidence. We will earn a place in the World Cup in March and hopefully win the tournament too."