Deprived of the chance to watch their country at a World Cup for the third successive time, Italy's football fans are eyeing Spain and Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil as teams to support in this year's tournament which starts on Thursday.
According to a survey carried out earlier this month by the polling organisation SWG, 59 per cent of the 800 Italians polled said they would watch the tournament, with 17 per cent of that group backing Brazil and 16 per cent plumping for Spain.
Argentina were picked by 10 per cent of the World Cup watchers, while France and England each summoned the support of five per cent.
Italy's sport minister Andrea Abodi told public broadcaster RAI he would support Brazil and local icon Ancelotti, who is a multiple Champions League winner as player and coach, as well as the Turkey and Uzbekistan teams led by Vincenzo Montella and Fabio Cannavaro.
Italy, four-time world champions, failed to reach this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico after losing in the qualification play-offs to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Azzurri haven't played a knockout match at a World Cup since last winning the tournament 20 years ago.
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