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interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
Despite the deep disappointment of Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for a third consecutive tournament, millions of Italians have continued to follow the 2026 competition, filling bars, public squares and homes to watch the world’s biggest football event. In Trieste, a city long shaped by its international outlook, enthusiasm for the tournament has remained strong despite the absence of the Azzurri. Residents have instead adopted favorite teams, players and storylines from across the competition. We walked through the streets of Trieste to find out whether locals in Friuli Venezia Giulia are still embracing the World Cup — and why football continues to captivate them.
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