Italy Battling to Avoid Another ‘Apocalyptic’ World Cup Miss

Italy—four-time World Cup champions and one of the sport’s most storied nations—are once again fighting to avoid missing football’s biggest tournament for the third time in a row.

A crushing 4–1 defeat to Norway on Sunday confirmed that Italy have failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, finishing six points behind the Norwegians. Their second-place finish sends them into the play-offs, a stage that has haunted them in recent years.

Italy’s past two play-off experiences ended in disaster: a 1–0 aggregate defeat to Sweden denied them a spot at Russia 2018, and a shocking 1–0 home loss to North Macedonia in 2022 left them out of the Qatar tournament. Football journalist James Horncastle described the situation as “apocalyptic”—a sentiment first used in 2017, now revived with even more urgency.

The 2026 World Cup, held next summer in the US, Canada and Mexico, will be the first to feature 48 teams. Despite the expanded format, Italy’s path remains perilous.

Gattuso Calls for Qualification Reform

Manager Gennaro Gattuso, appointed in June, has questioned FIFA’s qualification system.

“In my day, the best runners-up went straight to the World Cup; now the rules have changed,” he said, noting that Europe faces tougher routes while other continents have more direct slots.

He pointed out disparities, including South America’s six automatic places and one play-off slot for 10 teams, compared to Europe’s tighter structure.

A Nightmare Start

Italy’s qualification campaign began with a disastrous 3–0 loss to Norway in June—featuring a goal from Erling Haaland, who now leads the scoring charts with 14 goals. The defeat prompted Luciano Spalletti to publicly announce his own dismissal, though he still coached the next match, a 2–0 win over Moldova.

Norway then surged ahead with seven straight wins and 33 goals scored, leaving Italy in constant pursuit.

Gattuso’s appointment raised eyebrows due to his turbulent stints at several clubs. Critics argued that the national team needed a more proven tactician.

“It just demonstrated the collapse of Italy,” said journalist Mina Rzouki, recalling the nation’s past generations stacked with legends like Maldini, Cannavaro, Nesta, Totti, and Del Piero.

Goals Flowing, but Questions Remain

Under Gattuso, Italy have at least delivered entertainment—18 goals in five matches, including high-scoring wins over Estonia and Israel. A late 2–0 victory over Moldova kept their hopes alive.

Players appear motivated under the fiery former midfielder.

“Gattuso has come in and screamed at them… The players are playing for him,” Rzouki said.

Still, she warned that the team lacks balance.

“They are hungry for goals, but tactically naive. They look reckless at times.”

Italy must navigate two single-leg play-offs if they finish second, hoping to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence. Mateo Retegui, with five goals in Gattuso’s first five matches, has been a bright spot—but Italy’s defensive fragility remains a concern.

The Azzurri, champions in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006, now face a defining moment as they bid to return to the global stage after missing 2018 and 2022.