Italy enters 2026 World Cup play-off, pressure on Gattuso
Losing 1-4 to Norway, Italy lost their direct ticket and had to participate in the 2026 World Cup play-off. Under Gattuso, they scored 18 goals/5 matches but had unstable defense; Retegui scored 5 goals/5 matches.
Italy crashed out of the 2026 World Cup play-offs after a 4-1 defeat to Norway, risking missing out on the big event for the third time in a row. The expansion to 48 teams hasn’t kept the Azzurri safe: Norway opened with a seven-game winning streak, with Erling Haaland’s goalscoring exploits pushing Gennaro Gattuso’s men into a tight spot.
Play-offs of life and death and haunting past
The last two playoff exits have left a scar that has not healed. In 2017, Italy lost to Sweden; four years later, they were shocked by North Macedonia on home soil. On the Euro Leagues podcast, journalist James Horncastle stressed: “People used to call Italy’s first exit the apocalypse. Now we don’t know what level of apocalypse we are in.”
Gattuso has fueled the attack, but balance is still lacking.
Since Gennaro Gattuso was appointed, Italy have improved significantly in terms of scoring: 18 goals in 5 matches, with wins of 5-0 against Estonia, 5-4 against Israel and two victories of 3-1, 3-0 against Estonia and Israel. New signing Mateo Retegui quickly got into the rhythm with 5 goals in 5 matches.
But the pressure is on: according to James Horncastle, the team must play in an atmosphere of “having to win every game and score a lot of goals to make up for mistakes.” Explosive attack is the foundation, but the balance is still unsolved.
Unstable defense, transition is weak point
Journalist Mina Rzouki pointed out the paradox: “Italy is hungry for goals but lacks balance. They can score 5 goals against Estonia, but also let Israel hold the ball, counter-attack and create easy chances.” She warned of “tactical naivety” at many times, especially when the opponent changes state quickly. The image of “a Barcelona version without beauty” reflects the right feeling: scoring a lot but not bringing peace of mind.
Bad start and turning point on the bench
The root of the predicament lies in the early stumbles of the campaign. A 0-3 defeat to Norway led to coach Luciano Spalletti announcing his resignation just two days later. Gattuso took over, bringing vitality to the attack, but the gaps in the defense were not closed.
World Cup 2026 is wide open, but Italy's door is narrow
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico with 48 teams. However, Gattuso believes that the European qualifying system is more rigorous than other continents. Finishing second will push the Azzurri into the risky play-off round.
Italy have not played in the World Cup since 2014. The prospect of another absence from the biggest stage of world football would be a shock to the footballing nation that has produced Maldini, Cannavaro, Nesta, Totti and Del Piero.
Two matches to decide it all
The other path is clear: win two single-game play-offs to salvage honor. Failure is not only a blow to performance, but also reinforces the fear of “World Cup apocalypse” that Horncastle mentioned.
Notable numbers
- Losing 1-4 to Norway, Italy could not win a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
- Norway opened with a 7-game winning streak; Erling Haaland maintained his high scoring form.
- Under Gattuso: 18 goals/5 matches; 5-0, 5-4, 3-1, 3-0 wins against Estonia and Israel.
- Mateo Retegui: 5 goals in 5 games.
- Two most recent play-off losses: lost to Sweden (2017) and lost to North Macedonia.
- Italy have not participated in the World Cup since 2014.
