GATTUSO'S ITALY ON EDGE

In this series, The Straits Times highlights the players or teams to watch in the world of sport. Today, we focus on Italy's national football team and their struggles in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup.

- Andy Ng Correspondent

Italy, once titans of global football with four World Cup titles, stand at a crossroads.

As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers near their November conclusion, the Azzurri are mired in a troubling campaign, teetering on the edge of a third consecutive World Cup absence.

Failing to qualify for the Finals in 2018 and 2022 - following devastating playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia - has left deep scars.

Now, with four matches played and four remaining in qualifying Group I, Italy's path to the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico looks perilous. A third miss would not just be a shock; it would signal a crisis for a nation synonymous with footballing excellence.

At the heart of this struggle is new coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose appointment sparks hope but also doubts about whether he can reverse the slide.

Italy's qualifying campaign has been a turbulent ride.

Drawn into a challenging group alongside Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova, the Azzurri started under Luciano Spalletti, whose tenure ended abruptly after a poor showing.

A 3-0 loss to Norway in Oslo in June set alarm bells ringing, with Italy's defence torn apart and their attack toothless. The defeat, coupled with a lacklustre Euro 2024 campaign in which Italy exited in the round of 16 against Switzerland, prompted the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to act.

On June 15, the FIGC turned to Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup hero known for his tenacity at AC Milan and Napoli. “The blue jersey is like a second skin for him,” FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said, praising Gattuso’s “motivations, professionalism and experience”.

Gattuso’s arrival brought cautious optimism from the man himself.