What Happened to Italy National Football Team?
The Italy National Football Team, known as the Azzurri, experienced a resurgence by winning Euro 2020 but then faced significant setbacks, including failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. After a period of managerial changes and a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, they are currently under the guidance of Gennaro Gattuso and are playing a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff final on March 31, 2026.
Quick Answer
The Italy National Football Team, after winning Euro 2020, failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and had a disappointing Round of 16 exit at Euro 2024. Roberto Mancini resigned in August 2023, followed by Luciano Spalletti's brief tenure, which ended in June 2025. Gennaro Gattuso was appointed manager in June 2025 and is currently leading the team in their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff final against Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 31, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Wins UEFA Euro 2020
Italy defeats England in a penalty shootout in the final of the UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021), securing their second European Championship title and extending their unbeaten run.
Fails to Qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Despite being European champions, Italy suffers a shocking playoff defeat to North Macedonia, failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Roberto Mancini Resigns as Head Coach
Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, unexpectedly resigns from his position as national team coach, citing personal reasons.
Luciano Spalletti Appointed Manager
Luciano Spalletti, fresh from winning the Serie A title with Napoli, officially takes over as the new head coach of the Italy national team.
Qualifies for Euro 2024
Italy secures its spot in the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament with a tense 0-0 draw against Ukraine in their final qualifying match.
Advances to Euro 2024 Round of 16
Italy seals its spot in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 after a dramatic late equalizer against Croatia in the group stage.
Eliminated from Euro 2024 in Round of 16
Defending champions Italy crash out of Euro 2024 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 16, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.
Luciano Spalletti Sacked as Manager
Following a disappointing Euro 2024 and an opening 3-0 loss to Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Luciano Spalletti is sacked as Italy's head coach.
Gennaro Gattuso Appointed Head Coach
Former AC Milan and Napoli manager, and 2006 World Cup winner, Gennaro Gattuso is officially appointed as the new head coach of the Italy national team.
Luciano Spalletti Joins Juventus
Former Italy manager Luciano Spalletti returns to club management, signing an agreement to become the new head coach of Serie A side Juventus.
Finishes Second in 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group
Italy concludes its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group stage in second place behind Norway, necessitating participation in the playoff rounds.
Wins World Cup Playoff Semi-final
Italy defeats Northern Ireland 2-0 in the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying playoff semi-final, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean, advancing to the final.
Plays 2026 World Cup Playoff Final
Italy faces Bosnia-Herzegovina in a decisive one-game playoff final for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This match is critical to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Italy National Football Team, affectionately known as the Azzurri, has a storied history with four FIFA World Cup titles and two UEFA European Championships. However, the period between 2018 and 2026 has been marked by extreme highs and lows, showcasing a team grappling with inconsistency and high expectations.
Following the shocking failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Roberto Mancini took the helm in May 2018, initiating a remarkable turnaround. Under his leadership, Italy achieved a world-record 37-match unbeaten run and culminated this success by winning the UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021), defeating England in the final. This victory was seen as a return to glory for a football-mad nation. However, this triumph was short-lived, as Italy once again failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, suffering a playoff defeat to North Macedonia in March 2022.
Mancini's tenure ended abruptly with his surprise resignation in August 2023, citing personal reasons. Luciano Spalletti, fresh off leading Napoli to a Serie A title, was appointed as his successor, signing a three-year contract. Spalletti successfully guided Italy through a tense Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, securing their spot with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine. However, the Euro 2024 tournament itself proved disappointing, with Italy advancing from the group stage but then being comfortably beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in the Round of 16, marking an early exit for the defending champions.
The poor performance at Euro 2024 and a subsequent 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier led to Spalletti's sacking in June 2025. Gennaro Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, was announced as the new head coach on June 15, 2025. Gattuso's immediate challenge was to navigate the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Italy finished second in Group I behind Norway, forcing them into the playoffs.
As of March 31, 2026, the Italy National Football Team is at a critical juncture. They successfully defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in the World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26, 2026, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. Today, March 31, 2026, they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoff final, a winner-takes-all match to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Failure to qualify would mark a third consecutive absence from the World Cup, an unprecedented and deeply concerning outcome for the four-time champions. Meanwhile, former manager Luciano Spalletti returned to club management, taking over Juventus in October 2025.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Italy National Football Team made different choices?