Why has Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time? The answer lies in a series of disappointing performances culminating in a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the qualifying playoffs.
Gennaro Gattuso, who was appointed as Italy’s coach in June 2025 on a one-year contract, stepped down following this latest setback. “With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national team to be over,” Gattuso stated after the loss.
Italy’s football has been in decline since the infamous Calciopoli scandal, which has cast a long shadow over the sport in the country. The Azzurri’s last appearance in the FIFA World Cup was in 2014, and they have not qualified since, marking a significant fall from grace for a nation that has won the tournament four times.
During Gattuso’s tenure, Italy managed to win five group games but ultimately faltered against Norway and let slip a 1-0 lead in the crucial playoff match against Bosnia. Gattuso’s resignation comes just a day after Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, also stepped down.
In a statement, Gattuso expressed gratitude towards Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon, thanking them for their support. “The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why it is right to facilitate future technical assessments with immediate effect,” he added, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach.
Italy’s football struggles are compounded by dwindling success in European competitions, with only two Italian clubs remaining as of 2026. The decline has prompted calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the system, a sentiment echoed by football legend Roberto Baggio, who proposed a significant reform back in 2010.
As Italy grapples with these challenges, the future of its national team remains uncertain. What steps will be taken next to revive the fortunes of Italian football? Details remain unconfirmed.
