ADL's World Cup Experience in Los Angeles
Aurelio De Laurentiis, the owner of Napoli, has been taking in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from his home in Los Angeles, and he's been thoroughly impressed by what he's seen.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the film producer turned football executive praised the tournament's organization, calling it "incredible."
"I'm watching the matches with my wife, my colleagues, and some friends. I saw Switzerland vs Bosnia live at SoFi to honour my wife Jacqueline's nation. An extraordinary stadium, perfect hospitality. Great organisation for traffic and parking too, all without queues."
De Laurentiis also noted attending Belgium vs Iran to greet two of his Napoli stars, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who are representing their countries at the tournament.
A Blueprint for Italian Football?
The Napoli president believes the World Cup's success in the United States holds valuable lessons for Serie A and Italian football as a whole.
"It's incredible. Despite the very high prices, the stadiums, even those with 70,000 seats, are always packed, even on weekdays. The message we can take from this is that, even in America, what they call 'soccer' here can become something truly important."
De Laurentiis posed a crucial question: is football merely a sport, or is it a sports and entertainment industry? For him, the answer is clear.
"If it's a sports and entertainment industry, as I believe, then we must learn from how events like the World Cup are marketed and presented," he argued, suggesting that Italian clubs need to modernize their approach to matchday experience and fan engagement.
Napoli's Ambitions Remain High
Despite the World Cup distraction, De Laurentiis emphasized that his club remains focused on staying at the top of the domestic and European game.
"Napoli will always be competitive and attractive," he stated, reinforcing the club's commitment to challenging for honors. Under the guidance of manager Antonio Conte, appointed in 2024, the Partenopei are looking to build on recent successes.
De Laurentiis also touched on the future of the Italian national team, which is absent from this World Cup after failing to qualify. He reiterated his belief that Italian football needs systemic change to return to the pinnacle of the international stage.
Key Takeaways
- De Laurentiis hails 2026 World Cup organization as "incredible", praising stadiums, hospitality, and logistics in the United States.
- The Napoli owner sees the tournament as a blueprint for how football should be marketed as an entertainment product.
- He insists Napoli will remain competitive and attractive under Antonio Conte's leadership.
- De Laurentiis uses the World Cup absence of Italy to call for reforms in Italian football.
Quick Facts
Napoli Owner: Aurelio De Laurentiis
Current Manager: Antonio Conte
World Cup 2026 Venue Visited: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Napoli Players at World Cup: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Italy's World Cup Status: Failed to qualify
