Bergamo, Italy – The weight of a nation rests on the shoulders of Gennaro Gattuso and the Italian national team as they face Northern Ireland tonight in a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff. For the third consecutive attempt, La Nazionale finds itself battling through the playoff gauntlet to reach the tournament, a stark contrast to the days when Italy was a perennial contender. The stakes are immense, and a growing sense of dread is gripping Italian football fans, who fear another devastating failure to qualify for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.
The four stars emblazoned on the Italian jersey – representing their four World Cup triumphs – experience increasingly distant. The golden era of Italian football, epitomized by Paolo Rossi’s heroics in the 1982 final against West Germany, seems a lifetime ago. Since winning the World Cup in 2006, the relationship between Italy and the tournament has soured, marked by early exits and heartbreaking defeats.
Two group stage eliminations in 2010 and 2014, followed by playoff heartbreaks against Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022, have left a deep scar on Italian football. The expansion to a 48-team format, granting Europe three additional qualifying spots, offers a glimmer of hope, but the pressure to capitalize on this opportunity is immense. Another failure to qualify would be viewed as a national catastrophe.
The anxiety is palpable among supporters. Michel Giro, a lifelong AC Milan fan, expressed his apprehension. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t beat Northern Ireland, but four years ago, there was no reason we shouldn’t beat North Macedonia. It’s exactly the same context, so I’m afraid,” he confessed. At 22 years vintage, Giro has yet to witness Italy lift the World Cup trophy, a painful reality for a generation of fans.
A Diminished Passion
The repeated playoff failures have begun to erode the passion of some fans. Despite the brief euphoria of winning Euro 2021, the subsequent disappointment has taken its toll. “Italy’s failures affect me less than they used to,” Giro admitted. “This time, I won’t cry if we lose, and even if we qualify, I won’t be overjoyed. It should be normal for us to qualify.”
This sentiment isn’t isolated. Italian football is facing increasing competition from other sports, with clubs gaining prominence and sports like tennis – spearheaded by Jannik Sinner’s recent success – rugby, and even baseball attracting a growing fanbase. Luc de Martino, a devoted Lorenzo Insigne supporter, has observed a noticeable decline in attendance at local viewing parties. “When it’s the league, the bar is full even for average matches. But last time, for the crucial Norway-Italy match, it was just me and my friends,” he lamented.
The fear of failure is consuming fans. De Martino confessed, “The idea of not going doesn’t even cross my mind. It would truly be the end. That hypothesis simply doesn’t exist.”
Tonight’s match against Northern Ireland represents a potential elimination point. A win would advance Italy to a final playoff against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina next Tuesday. The pressure on Gattuso and his squad is immense, as they attempt to navigate a treacherous path to qualification.
Gennaro Gattuso, appointed as Italy’s head coach in 2024, has selected a 28-man squad for these crucial matches, including the return of Federico Chiesa, according to FIFA. The squad also features key players like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella, and Manuel Locatelli, but notably omits Marco Verratti, currently playing for Al Duhail in Qatar, despite recent speculation about a potential recall. Foot Mercato reported on the omission of Verratti on March 20th.
Gattuso, a former AC Milan legend and a combative midfielder during his playing days, faces the challenge of restoring Italy’s pride and securing their place in the 2026 World Cup. His tactical approach and ability to motivate his players will be crucial in overcoming the hurdles that lie ahead. As a player, Gattuso won the UEFA Champions League twice with AC Milan, in 2002-03 and 2006-07, and was a key member of the Italian team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The expanded World Cup format, while offering more opportunities, also raises questions about the overall quality of competition. Some argue that the inclusion of more teams could dilute the prestige of the tournament. However, for Italian fans, the immediate concern is simply securing a spot in the competition, regardless of its format.
The match against Northern Ireland kicks off tonight in Bergamo. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with Italian fans desperate to witness their team take a step towards qualification. The outcome of this match will not only determine Italy’s fate in the 2026 World Cup but also potentially shape the future of Italian football.
The next step for Italy, should they overcome Northern Ireland, is a trip to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina next Tuesday. The path to the 2026 World Cup remains fraught with challenges, but the Italian national team and its supporters are determined to fight for their place on the world stage.
Worth a look
