Arjun Menon
Italy’s Struggles: From World Cup Glory to Qualification Woes
In 2006, Italy celebrated their latest World Cup triumph. Few could have imagined that the Azzurri would miss the next two tournaments entirely. Yet, after finishing behind Norway in their qualification group for the 2026 World Cup, Italy faces another potential embarrassment.
Norway’s 4-1 victory over Italy at the San Siro on Sunday night means the four-time World Cup winners must now navigate the play-offs. A stage that has brought recent humiliation: a 1-0 aggregate loss to Sweden in 2018 and a 1-0 home defeat to North Macedonia in 2022.
Italy’s Last World Cup Match in 2014
Italy’s last World Cup match in 2014 is infamous for Uruguay’s Luis Suárez biting Giorgio Chiellini. Uruguay won 1-0, eliminating both Italy and England from the tournament. That Italian side featured a mix of young talents and aging legends, including Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, and Mario Balotelli.
Read also: Italy Faces Uphill Battle to Avoid Third Consecutive World Cup Absence
What’s Gone Wrong with Italian Football?
Stefano Buonfino, a Transfermarkt expert, highlights the root of the problem: “The issue starts with youth teams. Coaches focus too much on results and not enough on technique.” He adds, “We need to teach young players technique and give them confidence.”
Buonfino notes that Italy’s success in the European Championships, including winning Euro 2020, masked deeper issues. “The success was down to the team rather than individual players. It was a result that exceeded expectations and seems impossible to replicate nowadays with the current side.”
If Italy fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, it would mark another low point in their recent history. Despite the expanded tournament, the Azzurri have not made it easy for themselves.