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Diego Coppola fears his dream of playing in the 2026 World Cup for Italy will be over unless he gets more game time with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 21-year-old central defender made his first league start for the club alongside fellow summer signing Olivier Boscagli in the 0-0 home draw against Sunderland, with first choice pairing Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke ruled out by suspension and illness respectively.
Coppola was called into Italy’s senior squad for two appearances earlier this year as they chase qualification for next summer’s tournament via the European play-offs in March.
“A dream for every footballer is to play in the World Cup,” said Coppola, who had been limited to 17 minutes of league action as a substitute since joining Brighton from Hellas Verona in the summer.
“I know that if I don’t get many minutes I won’t be in the Italy squad if we qualify. Of course, I want to also help the team here, but you don’t get the chance to play in a World Cup every year. The next one will be in four years. A lot of things can happen. I could be a starter in some big teams, or I could be a non-starter in a bad team with all due respect, so I don’t know, we’ll see.”
Coppola has been linked by local media with interest from several clubs in Italy in the upcoming January transfer window. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said during his press conference on Friday that he wants to keep his squad intact.
Asked about the possibility of a January move, Coppola said: “I don’t know yet. The club knows what is best for me. I like Brighton, the team, everything, the staff, the team-mates. I like being here, but with the World Cup coming I want to improve more by playing games.”
Dunk and Van Hecke are likely to return for Brighton’s next game away to league leaders Arsenal on December 27.