Italian Dad Watches Son Play World Cup as Italy Misses Out

Antonio Cacace never imagined his son would play at a World Cup while his beloved Italy watched from home.

The Italian restaurant owner in Wellington, New Zealand, is heading to Vancouver to watch his son Liberato play for the All Whites at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Italy has failed to qualify for the third consecutive tournament, despite the field expanding to 48 teams.

Sixteen years ago, Antonio sat with his three children watching Italy draw 1-1 with New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup. His son Liberato, then just 10 years old, was glued to the screen. "Football in our family is like food," Antonio says.

Now 26, Liberato Cacace is the first-choice left-back for New Zealand and one of the team's standout players. He's played professionally for the Wellington Phoenix, teams in Belgium and Italy, and currently plays for Hollywood-backed Wrexham AFC in the UK.

The irony isn't lost on Antonio's hometown in Italy. Back in Massa Lubrense on the Amalfi Coast, his 17-year-old nephew has no memory of ever seeing Italy compete at a World Cup. Their last appearance was in 2014, twelve years ago.

But something beautiful has emerged from Italy's absence. Antonio's entire hometown has rallied behind New Zealand because of Liberato. "All the people who know me, my family, and also Libby are all behind New Zealand and they've even asked me to get some flags," Antonio shares.

Sunny's Take

At La Bella Italia, the family restaurant in Petone, Antonio and his wife Luisa have watched their identity transform. "We switched straight away from being just Antonio and Luisa from La Bella Italia to being the parents of Liberato Cacace," Antonio says. "That happened overnight, and we are very proud of that."

The restaurant has become an unofficial gathering spot for football fans. When Liberato signed with Wrexham, Welsh supporters showed up the following week with scarves and flags. TV cameras even followed the club's manager and CEO to La Bella Italia during their visit to Wellington.

Antonio admits the reality hasn't fully hit him yet. He's been focused on hosting food and culture tours in his Italian hometown. But he knows the moment will arrive when he sits in BC Place stadium in Vancouver watching his son take the field.

For a country that's won four World Cups, missing three consecutive tournaments stings. But in Wellington, an Italian father has discovered something more powerful than national pride: watching his son achieve the dream that eluded an entire nation.