For the first time since 1958, football-mad Italy will follow a World Cup finals from the sidelines without their national team.
Four-time winners Italy have been in chaos since their shock elimination in the play-offs last November to Sweden.
Over the next four weeks, while the world of football will be buzzing with news of pre-tournament friendlies, team selections and training camps, Italy will be just a sparring partner, playing pre-tournament warm-ups against France and Saudi Arabia.