Eleonora Incardona is going to the World Cup. Italy is not. Again.
The 36-year-old joins DAZN’s coverage team for this summer’s tournament in the United States, making her, by some margin, one of the more prominent Italians you’ll find there.
Her country has now failed to qualify three tournaments in a row.
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Gli Azzurri haven’t played at a World Cup since 2014.
Twelve years. That’s a while.
Going without them
Incardona spent last season reporting across Serie A and Serie B for DAZN and broke the news to her 1.4 million Instagram followers on 19 May.
“The countdown has begun,” she wrote.
“FIFA World Cup, can’t wait. See you in America.”
She described the season as intense, “lived between Serie A and Serie B, between emotions, travels, stadiums and many stories to tell,” and gave particular thanks to colleagues she called “special people: great professionals and extraordinary travel companions.”
She also congratulated Monza on their promotion back to Serie A before signing off with a promise:
“an incredible summer and a World Cup all to live together on DAZN.”
Left at home
Her partner, Samuele Ricci, will not be joining her.
The 24-year-old AC Milan midfielder has been with Incardona since 2024. He has no tournament to prepare for.
Italy’s failure to qualify means the entire squad is in the same position.
Why it matters
Incardona’s appointment points to something broadcast outlets are increasingly comfortable with: social media reach and editorial credibility are no longer separate considerations when assembling a coverage team.
A million-plus Instagram following, combined with a full season of on-the-ground reporting, makes a case that traditional punditry alone doesn’t.
DAZN is not the only rights-holder experimenting with this formula.
Italy’s absence is also, bluntly, a crisis. Three consecutive tournaments without qualification is unprecedented for a nation that has won the competition four times.
Covering a World Cup without the home nation in it requires a different kind of storytelling, and perhaps a different kind of presenter.
Whether Incardona becomes one of those faces depends on what she does with the platform.
She heads to the States this summer with a brief to make the tournament feel worth watching for Italian fans who have nothing left to support but other people’s dreams.
