The highway to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a dramatic flip for Italy. A crushing 3-0 defeat to Norway within the opening match of UEFA qualifying has reignited fears that the Azzurri may as soon as once more miss soccer’s largest stage. After failing to qualify for each Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and struggling early exits in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, Italy now faces the terrifying prospect of lacking its third consecutive World Cup.
The loss to Norway—led by Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth—was the ultimate straw for head coach Luciano Spalletti, who was promptly dismissed. Taking on is former Italian midfielder and World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso, who introduced his first squad for the September worldwide window. Italy will now face Estonia and Israel, matches that might decide whether or not their qualifying hopes keep alive.
To safe a direct ticket to the World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, Italy should high its group. Proper now, Norway sits comfortably on the high with 12 factors and a superior purpose distinction of +12. Italy trails with simply 3 factors from two matches, sitting in third place behind Israel, which has 6 factors from three video games. Estonia additionally has 3 factors, although from 4 matches.
If Italy can’t shut the hole on Norway, it should a minimum of purpose for second place to succeed in the March playoff. However even that isn’t assured, as Israel has proven robust type and holds the higher hand. At this stage, Italy’s margin for error is gone: they have to win almost each remaining match to maintain their World Cup dream alive.
Gennaro Gattuso replaces Spalletti and can make his debut throughout this FIFA break.
What’s left on Italy’s schedule
- September 5: vs. Estonia (Bergamo)
- September 8: at Israel (performed in Hungary)
- October: Reverse fixtures towards Israel and Estonia
- November: at Moldova, then vs. Norway at San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza)
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The Azzurri, four-time world champions, are as soon as once more in disaster. With Gattuso now on the helm, Italy should rediscover its preventing spirit and keep away from the humiliation of lacking one more World Cup. The subsequent few months will outline Italian soccer historical past, and for a proud nation nonetheless haunted by current failures, the stress couldn’t be greater.
