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.

🏆 4 World Cup Titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) 😰 Missed 2018 + 2022 🌍 Group B if qualified

World Cup titles

2006

Last title — Berlin

UEFA Playoff A

Must win to reach Group B

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.

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Italy

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Wales

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Bosnia-Herz.

Playoff A

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N. Ireland

Playoff A

Winner enters Group B:

🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇶🇦 Qatar

Italy WC2026 Storylines

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.