Italy
World Cup 2026
Gli Azzurri return from the wilderness. Two consecutive World Cup absences — 2018 and 2022 — represent the darkest chapter in Italian football history. Now Spalletti's side must navigate UEFA Playoff A to restore national pride.
12 days until World Cup 2026 kicks off
Road to the World Cup — UEFA Playoff A
Italy enters UEFA Playoff A alongside Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland. Two semi-finals determine which nation earns the coveted spot in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
Italy WC2026 Storylines
La Grande Assenza — The Great Absence
Italy's two consecutive World Cup failures are among the most shocking in football history. The 2022 playoff loss to North Macedonia — a country of two million people — in extra time at Palermo was a seismic moment that shook planet football to its core. The silence that followed is the backdrop to everything in 2026.
Federico Chiesa — Redemption Arc
Chiesa's career has been blighted by injury, including a serious ACL tear. His move to Liverpool signals a new chapter. Pacey, direct, capable of moments of brilliance — if Chiesa finds form in 2026, Italy become a different proposition entirely. The pressure is on the winger to finally fulfil his enormous potential.
Donnarumma — The World's Best Keeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma is widely regarded as the finest goalkeeper on the planet. His heroics helped Italy win Euro 2020 (played in 2021). At just 27 for the 2026 tournament, this is his prime World Cup. His desire to atone for two missed tournaments drives the entire squad.
Barella & Tonali — The Engine Room
Nicolò Barella at Inter Milan is one of Europe's elite box-to-box midfielders. Sandro Tonali's story is more complex — his gambling ban was served and the Newcastle man has re-emerged as Italy's heartbeat. Together they form one of international football's most compelling midfield partnerships.
UEFA Playoff A — The Nightmare Scenario
The trauma of North Macedonia in 2022 has not faded. Now Italy faces UEFA Playoff A against Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, or Northern Ireland. Any opponent could produce an upset — the Italy squad knows that better than anyone. Every game is played with the ghost of Palermo watching.
Group B — Canada, Switzerland, Qatar
If Italy reach Group B, they face Canada on home soil — a massive occasion in front of North American crowds. Switzerland offer a difficult European test. Then Qatar, the 2022 hosts, seeking redemption. A favourable draw on paper, but Italy will take nothing for granted after recent history.
Key Players — Gli Azzurri 2026
Italy World Cup History
Italy Highlights
Lazio: Campo e Controcampo - Champions of #MadeInItaly with Taylor - EP.11
HAIER CAM | REF CAM POV: You Are The Referee in Lazio-Pisa | Serie A 2025/26
1-Minute Classic | Italy vs Nigeria | 1994 Round of 16
Lazio: Campo e Controcampo - Champions of #MadeInItaly with Taylor - EP.11
Dimarco’s Rainbow of Beauty | Every Angle | Serie A 2025/26
HAIER CAM | REF CAM POV: You Are The Referee in Torino-Juventus | Serie A 2025/26
FIORENTINA U19-PARMA U19 2-1 | HIGHLIGHTS | PRIMAVERA 1 SCUDETTO FINAL 2025/26
1-Minute Stunner Italy Eliminated In Late Show | 2010 FIFA World Cup
HAIER CAM | REF CAM POV: You Are The Referee in Cremonese-Como | Serie A 2025/26
BONNY pure elegance 🫣 #SerieA #BolognaInter #Bonny
A farewell match winner for Pedro 🦅🫶 #Pedro #SerieA #Lazio
Vlahovic Ends the Season with a Brace | Top Moment | Torino-Juventus | Serie A 2025/26
Bobby Malen: all goals 👀 #SerieA #Roma
Quagliarella's Wonder Goal For Italy In 2010 #shorts #italy #worldcup
Shot and Reverse Shot | Champions of #MadeinItaly with Kenneth Taylor | Serie A 2025/26
HAIER CAM | REF CAM POV: You Are The Referee in Bologna-Inter | Serie A 2025/26
Pisa: La Rotta dell’Esperienza Champions of #MadeInItaly with Cuadrado - EP.10
Dybala Drives Roma with Two Assists | Top Moment | Verona-Roma | Serie A 2025/26
Azzurri Analysis
Pep Guardiola to Italy and Maresca home: The rumor mill has officially lost it
Apr 25, 2026
Liverpool are bracing for a massive physical reset as stars head for Italy
Apr 23, 2026
The sheer delusion of trying to backdoor Italy into the 2026 World Cup
Apr 23, 2026
Italy trying to use Donald Trump to gatecrash the World Cup is a new low
Apr 23, 2026
Buffon's brutal honesty exposes exactly why Italy are doomed this summer
Apr 22, 2026
England Fans Are Drunk on Hope, Italy Gets a Lifeline: Welcome to World Cup 2026 Chaos
Apr 13, 2026
Alessandro Bastoni is reminding Italy why they need him
Apr 06, 2026
Gennaro Gattuso's exit confirms Italy's decade of decline
Apr 03, 2026
Mina Rizuki (Football Daily (BBC Radio 5 Live)): "Italy, third World Cup finals in a row, they are not going to be there. I'm not that surprised."
Apr 03, 2026
Gab (The Gab and Juls Show (ESPN)): "For the third consecutive World Cup, Italy will not be a part of it. We've got to deal with this,..."
Apr 02, 2026
Latest Italy News
Gallery: ‘Leao, angry at the substitution’, ‘A gift to Inter’ – Today’s front pages in Italy
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Gianluigi Donnarumma questions Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr for Champions League celebration
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Ex team-mate Badelj explains why Retegui would be a Scudetto-worthy striker at Milan
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Ex team-mate Badelj explains why Retegui would be a Scudetto-worthy striker at Milan
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Ex team-mate Badelj explains why Retegui would be a Scudetto-worthy striker at Milan
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Official: Milan back to being invisible in the Azzurri picture – why the number has dropped
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Chiesa back in Italy squad for Northern Ireland play-off
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Official: Milan back to being invisible in the Azzurri picture – why the number has dropped
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Cadinale’s pre-Inter talk with Leao and difficulties in Italy: “At all costs”
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Chiesa back in Italy squad for Northern Ireland play-off
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Tuttosport: Milan and Juventus battling for Retegui – the latest discussions held with his camp
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GdS: ’No more experiments’ – Retegui and Guirassy the prototype as Milan need a ‘real No.9’
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