When will the Italian national football team rebuild from the ruins… facing the risk of missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time?

이탈리아 축구 국가대표팀은 세계적인 명성을 가진 네 차례의 월드컵 챔피언이지만, 최근 몇 년 동안 연속적인 실패를 경험하며 그 위상이 위협받고 있습니다. 2026 FIFA 월드컵 UEFA 예선 첫 경기에서 노르웨이에 0-3으로 패한 이후, 세 번째 연속으로 월드컵 출전이 좌절될 위험에 처했습니다. 이러한 상황은 단순히 감독의 문제를 넘어, 이탈리아 축구 시스템 전체의 구조적 문제를 드러내고 있습니다. 이제 구체적인 방법을 아래에서 확인해보도록 하겠습니다.

Italy National Team, Another Shocking World Cup Qualifying Defeat

In their first match of the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Italy suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat to Norway, damaging their pride. This result significantly increased the possibility of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, following the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar tournaments.
Currently, Italy is trailing Norway by 9 points, with Norway having won all four of their matches and boasting an overwhelming goal difference. Although Italy has played two fewer matches, they must win all of their remaining five games to secure direct qualification. The recent 2-0 victory against Moldova is a consolation, but it holds little significance against a team ranked 154th by FIFA.

The Departure of ‘Savior’ Spalletti… What Went Wrong?

Luciano Spalletti, who took over as head coach after winning the Scudetto with Napoli in August 2023, announced his resignation immediately after the match against Norway, having recorded 6 losses in just 24 games. The confusion stemmed from poor performance in Euro 2024, a brief resurgence in the Nations League, and a sudden tactical shift (from 3-4-2-1 to 3-5-2) just before matches, compounded by limitations in squad composition. Local media pointed out that “Spalletti created confusion with too many tactical ideas.”

Structural Problems in Italian Football: Generational Change vs. Methodological Crisis

This issue is not solely Spalletti’s; the entire Italian football system has been unwell for a long time. The percentage of Italian nationals in Serie A is only 34-36%, and youth teams are trained more in tactics and physicality rather than creativity. In contrast, countries like Spain, Germany, and France focus on developing technical skills and creativity.
Former AC Milan coach Fabio Capello criticized, “Italian youth teams are obsessed with tactical discipline and safe play rather than creativity.” Although there have been recent successes at the U-17, U-19 European Championships, and U-20 World Cup runners-up, there are still few promising players receiving opportunities in the senior team.

In Conclusion

Italy is a four-time World Cup champion and a symbol of European football, yet it has repeatedly faced failures that do not match its reputation over the past decade. This is not just a failure of Spalletti as an individual; it is a moment where the entire Italian football system is facing fundamental questions. A shift in philosophy and structural reform is urgently needed over tactical changes. The attention of football fans worldwide is focused on whether Italy can rise again from the ruins.