Italy, one of world football’s most iconic national teams, are staring down the possibility of a third consecutive World Cup absence—an outcome many in the country have described as nothing short of “apocalyptic.” Despite being four-time world champions and winners of Euro 2021, the Azzurri once again find themselves on the brink as poor results, managerial chaos, and rising European rivals threaten to keep them out of the 2026 World Cup.
Italy currently sit second in their qualifying group, trailing leaders Norway by three points. Even if they win Sunday’s decider in Milan, the goal-difference gap is so enormous that the Azzurri would need a near-impossible nine-goal victory to qualify automatically. A more realistic scenario sees them falling into the dreaded World Cup play-offs—the same stage where Italy suffered humiliation and heartbreak in 2017 and 2022.
For a football nation with such heritage, pride, and expectation, missing another World Cup would represent a crisis deeper than anything in modern Italian football history.
A Nightmare Repeating Itself: Italy’s Recent World Cup Failures
Italy’s modern World Cup narrative has been one of frustration and collapse. They last appeared in the tournament in 2014, failing to reach the knockout stages. Since then:
- Missed Russia 2018, losing 1-0 on aggregate to Sweden.
- Missed Qatar 2022, after a shocking 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia in Palermo.
Now, with the 2026 World Cup expanding to a record 48 teams, Italian fans believed qualification would be straightforward.
Instead, it has become a national anxiety.
Italian journalist James Horncastle summed it up:
“It was called apocalyptic the first time they missed out in 2017. I don’t know what stage of the apocalypse we’re in now.”
A Brutal Start and a Managerial Meltdown
Italy’s qualifying nightmare began almost immediately.
Their opening match ended in a crushing 3-0 defeat to Norway, led by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who has scored a staggering 14 goals in qualifying.
The loss was so damaging that manager Luciano Spalletti—fresh off guiding Napoli to a Serie A title—publicly announced his own sacking two days later. He still managed one more match, a 2-0 victory over Moldova, but from then on Italy were chasing shadows.
Norway, meanwhile, won their first seven qualifiers, scoring 33 goals and dominating the group.
Enter Gennaro Gattuso: Passion Over Tactics?
With Italy desperate for a spark, the federation turned to Gennaro Gattuso—a 2006 World Cup winner and one of the most passionate players of his generation.
Gattuso’s coaching résumé, however, has raised eyebrows. His managerial record includes brief and turbulent spells at Fiorentina, Valencia, and Marseille. His appointment led many Italian journalists to question whether the Azzurri had run out of top-tier coaching options.
Italian journalist Mina Rzouki didn’t hold back:
“When I heard Gattuso was in line, it demonstrated the collapse of Italy. The embarrassment of riches we once had—Del Piero, Maldini, Totti, Cannavaro—is gone. Even our best coaches have not succeeded recently.”
Horncastle added:
“Gattuso is more famous for his press conferences than for the football on the pitch.”
Still, the former midfield warrior has injected something Italy have lacked: fire, urgency, and goals.
Goals Flow Under Gattuso — But Problems Still Linger
To his credit, Gattuso has revitalised Italy’s attack. The Azzurri have won all five games under his leadership, scoring 18 goals:
- 5-0 vs Estonia
- 5-4 vs Israel
- 3-1 vs Estonia
- 3-0 vs Israel
- 2-0 vs Moldova
Despite the winning streak, the performances have exposed serious defensive flaws.
Rzouki summarised the concern:
“They have hunger for goals, but no balance. Against Estonia and Israel they looked scared. They leave themselves open, they’re reckless, and tactically naïve.”
Italy’s defence—once the envy of world football—now looks vulnerable. Even mid-tier opponents are creating waves of counter-attacks, exploiting Italy’s aggressive but chaotic setup.
The Play-Off Gauntlet Looms Again
If Italy finish second, they will enter a brutal playoff route—two single-elimination matches that could decide the fate of a nation.
Italy’s record in these scenarios is painful:
- Lost to Sweden in 2017
- Lost to North Macedonia in 2022
Now the fear is that history could repeat itself.
The pressure on Gattuso and the squad is immense.
Can Italy Turn Passion Into Qualification?
Gattuso’s influence is undeniable. His players admire him, respect his warrior mentality, and have responded with goals and grit. Forward Mateo Retegui has been especially effective, scoring five times in Gattuso’s first five games.
But passion alone won’t be enough.
As Rzouki put it:
“Maybe they’ll be like Barcelona and try to outscore opponents—but without the beauty.”
To avoid another catastrophic World Cup absence, Italy must find defensive stability, tactical discipline, and a way to handle high-pressure matches.
With a nation watching anxiously, Italy’s future now rests on a knife-edge.
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