"Im sad, yes Im sad for the World Cup. I almost cried," Infantino, who holds both Swiss and Italian nationality, said in an interview with Italys Gazzetta Dello Sport five months ahead of the World Cup final match in Russia.
"I think its a collective sadness. Were talking about a team with a great tradition who give their best in events like this.
"But those who are in Russia deserved to qualify and in any case Italy stayed out with an Italian President: do we need anything else to say were honest and clean?"
"I would have liked to have given the cup to Buffon though," admitted the 47-year-old.
Infantino said that there had been signs of trouble within the four-time world champions long before their dramatic failure in last Novembers play-offs.
"There have been signals to this effect for a long time, and (Matteo) Darmians shot against Sweden could have gone in instead of hitting the post, but he would have only concealed the problems.
"Italy were the first in the world for organisation, clubs, training, structures, food, tactics. We forgot that, without work, talent is not enough.
Italy are without a national coach and a football federation president with the FIGC currently under the guardianship of the national Olympic committee CONI.
Infantino said he hoped this would be "as short as possible".
"One or two men cannot change a situation that needs a strong president, backed by all parties, and with a long-term strategy: clubs, leagues, players, everyone has to go in the same direction, as in Germany in the 90s, after the crisis of results, as in England after the Heysel (Stadium disaster), everyone at the table thinking about the common good, today Germany wins the World Cup and Confederations with young players, and England are world champions in Under 17 and Under 20."
"Could he take a role in FIFA? Im going to go in person and get him.
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