Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup were dealt another devastating blow after a 4-1 loss to Norway on Sunday confirmed their slide into the European play-offs once more.
The four-time world champions finished six points behind group winners Norway, continuing a troubling trend that has already seen them miss the 2018 and 2022 editions.
The weight of history now hangs heavily over the Azzurri. Their last appearance at a World Cup came in 2014, despite winning the European Championship in 2021.
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed frustration with the qualifying system, arguing that Europe’s runners-up deserve a more favourable path. He pointed to expanded slots for other continents as a growing competitive imbalance.
“Africa has nine teams now, South America sends six directly,” Gattuso said. “Europe’s system must change. It’s difficult and we know it well.”
Italy’s campaign began disastrously with a 3-0 defeat to Norway, including a goal from Erling Haaland, who now leads the qualifiers with 14 goals. The early setback triggered turmoil, including Luciano Spalletti’s chaotic self-announced resignation.
Gattuso, appointed mid-campaign, brought passion and intensity, helping Italy score 18 goals in his first five matches. Big wins over Estonia and Israel injected belief, but defensive frailties persisted.
Italian football analysts argue that despite the improved attacking output, Italy remain tactically unstable. Journalist Mina Rzouki said the team “lacks balance and looks reckless at times,” warning that tougher opponents could exploit their weaknesses.
Still, Gattuso’s motivational approach appears to have revitalised the squad, with forward Mateo Retegui scoring five goals in the coach’s opening five matches in charge.
If Italy finish second, they must navigate two single-leg play-offs — a route that previously delivered heartbreak against Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022.
The pressure is immense, and expectations are unforgiving. “It was apocalyptic the first time,” said journalist James Horncastle. “Now, nobody knows what stage we’re in.”
With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, missing out again would mark an unprecedented low for one of football’s most decorated nations.
As the play-offs loom, Italy face a familiar and painful question: can they overcome their past, or are they destined for another bitter chapter in their World Cup history?