Football in Italy is experiencing one of its darkest periods after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, missing the tournament for the third consecutive time. This has been described by international media reports as an unprecedented ‘historic collapse’ for one of the pillars of the game.
According to Reuters, the latest elimination has sparked grief and anger in Italy, with reports of ‘tears and national shock.’ The Associated Press, meanwhile, considers this a ‘new normal’ for a team that was once the world’s dominant force.
Italy face a deepening crisis
Italy’s failure is no longer a passing event, but rather a continuous decline since their 2006 World Cup victory. They were eliminated in the group stage in 2010 and 2014, before failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, culminating in their third consecutive absence in 2026.
This downward trajectory has prompted major Italian media outlets to use harsh descriptions, with local newspapers speaking of a ‘footballing disgrace’ and a ‘systemic collapse,’ arguing that the problem has transcended mere results and reached the very core of the country’s football structure.
The greatest paradox lies in the fact that this decline comes after Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, which analytical reports have deemed a:
clear disconnect between momentary success and the absence of a long-term project.
Just when the Italian national team seemed poised to reclaim its continental glory, it encountered a different reality on the world stage, repeatedly failing to advance through the qualifiers and playoffs.
Structural flaws and a decline in talent
International reports suggest that the Italian crisis has deeper dimensions than just technical ones, pointing to a range of factors.
Most notably, there has been a decline in the country’s player development system and an increasing reliance on foreign players for Italian clubs, which has negatively impacted opportunities for developing local talent.
The reports also highlighted the lack of administrative and technical stability, along with the national team’s lack of leadership figures capable of handling the pressure in crucial matches – a deficiency clearly demonstrated by the successive failures during the qualifying rounds.
The recent elimination sparked widespread criticism within Italian sporting circles, with calls growing for a comprehensive review of the football system, from the national federation to the league structure and youth development programs.
In this context, reports quoted officials and former players confirming that “Italy is no longer just losing matches, but losing its footballing identity,” indicating the depth of the crisis the Azzurri are experiencing.
An uncertain future and open questions
Amid this situation, the Italian national team faces a real challenge to regain its historical standing, especially as it is one of the most decorated teams in World Cup history.
However, the repeated failures raise serious questions about Italy’s ability to break what has become known in the media as the “World Cup curse” and return to the global stage after years of absence and decline.
Featured image via the Associated Press
By Alaa Shamali
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