The Italian absence this time comes while the tournament is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and in a remarkable irony, memory goes back to the 1994 World Cup in America, when the “Azzurri” lost the final to Brazil on penalties, after the famous kick that Roberto Baggio missed.
For the generation of the 1980s and 1990s, Italy was not an ordinary team. Its blue jersey, its stern defense and its huge stars were part of an emotional connection with football. From Baggio to Del Piero, Totti and Vieri, from Maldini, Baresi and Cannavaro to Buffon, Italy has created a special image in the minds of its fans.
But this image does not seem to be present with the same strength among the new generation. For many in “Generation Z,” Italy’s glories seem closer to old stories, after the team missed the 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions, despite winning the Euro 2020 title.
The Italian national team has a long history in the World Cup, having won the title 4 times in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, and is considered the second most decorated team, on a par with Germany, behind Brazil. His name was also associated with immortal matches, including the confrontation with West Germany in the 1970 semi-finals, the victory over Brazil’s Zico and Socrates in 1982, and the 2006 Berlin final against France.
However, today that legacy stands up to a harsh reality: Italy is not in the World Cup.
If the Italian national team succeeds in returning during the 2030 edition, it will be its first appearance since 2014, that is, after an absence of 16 years. This long hiatus means that an entire generation of Italian players did not experience the atmosphere of the largest tournament in football.
The reasons for the fall are due to a deeper crisis than just a failure in the qualifiers. After winning Euro 2020, the national team entered a period of decline, amid the lack of opportunities for local talent in the Italian League, the dependence of major clubs on foreign players, in addition to a clear crisis in the position of outright striker, and the lack of sufficient renewal in some positions.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Italian national team suffered a new blow after losing in the European play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, finding itself outside the tournament for the third time in a row.
The President of the Italian Football Federation commented on the failure, saying: “This fall is a stab in the heart of Italian football, and we must admit that the current system needs a comprehensive revolution of rules and roots and not just a change of coaches.”
As coach Luciano Spalletti said: “The Italian fans do not deserve this suffering. Absent from the World Cup three times in a row is a failure that cannot be covered up with excuses. We lacked courage and focus in the decisive moments, and we must bear full responsibility and build a new generation from scratch to return to the 2030 edition.”
In a related context, press reports revealed an unofficial offer made by an envoy to US President Donald Trump, according to which Italy would be granted Iran’s seat in the World Cup. However, the Italian Federation rejected the idea, insisting that returning to the World Cup must come through the field and not through a political decision.
Between a heavy history and a difficult reality, Italy remains outside the World Cup scene, waiting for the promises of reform to turn into results, and for the “Azzurri” to return to the place where it used to be. (BBC)
