Double Heartbreak: Indonesia and Italy's World Cup Absence Leaves Fans in Crisis

For Indonesian football enthusiasts, the World Cup often brings a complex emotional experience. While it represents the pinnacle of global sports entertainment, it also serves as a stark reminder of the national team's persistent absence from the highest stage. To cope with this, many domestic supporters adopt a "Surrogate Team Identification" strategy, choosing a major global team to passionately support.

This choice frequently falls upon the Italian national team, particularly for fans deeply invested in Italy's Serie A. Loyalists of clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, AS Roma, Lazio, and Napoli often rally behind the Azzurri, the Italian national squad. This connection is rooted in the "Brand Spillover Effect," a marketing concept explaining how familiarity and emotional attachment to Serie A clubs translate into support for the national team.

Fans develop deep ties to Italian football through consistent viewing of the league since the 1990s. Juventus supporters see the team as a symbol of solid defense, while Milan and Inter fans connect with the rich history and fierce rivalry of their city, unified under the national team's blue jersey. Similarly, supporters of other Italian clubs feel a natural affinity for the Italian footballing atmosphere.

However, this year presents a unique challenge. With both Indonesia and Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup, fans are experiencing "Double Dissonance," a phenomenon of "layered disappointment." This dual absence leaves supporters in a state of "Fan Identity Crisis," struggling to find an emotional anchor in the world's biggest football tournament after their primary and surrogate teams have fallen short.