After Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in more than 60 years, Italian maestro and 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo has teamed up with McDonald’s McDelivery from Uber Eats to find an alternative nation to support this summer.

McDelivery from Uber Eats has enlisted the support of eight soccer icons from around the globe to help find a #TeamForPirlo, as Pirlo gets ready to enjoy the tournament from the sidelines for the first time in 16 years.

The all-star line-up includes FIFA World Cup winners Cafu (Brazil) and Marcel Desailly (France), alongside international legends Luis Hernandez and Jared Borgetti (Mexico), Harry Kewell (Australia), Rui Patricio (Portugal), Mashahiro Fukuda (Japan) and Alexandre Guimarães (Costa Rica). The players have been pitching for Pirlo’s support for their nations as the 2018 FIFA World Cup group games kicked off in Russia.

The #TeamForPirlo search got off to the worst possible start when Andrea stormed off set when asked by a hapless reporter whether he was looking forward to playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Pirlo said: “For the first time I can remember, I was not looking forward to the FIFA World Cup this year. I thought ‘No Italy, no party’ but there is still a summer full of football for me to enjoy as a fan at home with McDelivery from Uber Eats.

“Without Italy at the tournament, I need a new team to support and I’m looking forward to meeting with some of the most respected footballers in history to help me make a decision!”

McDonald’s, an official FIFA World Cup sponsor, has partnered with Uber Eats to offer McDelivery in 26 countries for the first time ever during a FIFA World Cup. 

“While we’re all disappointed Italy didn’t qualify this year, we’re pleased we can not only help make Andrea’s FIFA World Cup more enjoyable with McDelivery from Uber Eats, but also help him find a team to support,” said Liz Meyerdirk, head of partnerships, Uber Eats.