FIFA president Gianni Infantino has drawn criticism in Italy after making a sarcastic remark about the national team's recent modest World Cup record.
In an interview with Brazilian channel Cazé TV, Infantino mocked Italy's latest failure to qualify for the World Cup while discussing the possibility of expanding the tournament to 64 teams.
The FIFA president said: "Maybe Italy will qualify for a World Cup with 64 teams, or maybe we raise the number to 228 teams."
It is worth noting that FIFA has only 211 member associations.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi expressed his displeasure and said he intends to hold a phone conversation with Infantino.
Abodi added: "Given the great distance between Italy and Mexico, making a phone call to clarify the situation, according to his schedule, is the best option. I am interested in hearing his view."
Italy's last appearance at a World Cup was at the 2014 edition in Brazil, where they were eliminated in the group stage, despite having won the title in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.