Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time as Mancini returns

Italian football has faced significant challenges this year, with no club reaching beyond the quarter-finals in European competitions. Atalanta was the only Serie A team to advance to the Champions League last 16. The national team’s situation is even more dire, as Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, a shocking reality for a nation that has lifted the trophy four times in the past.

The recent World Cup failure prompted the resignations of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina, and Gianluigi Buffon, the team's head of delegation. Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed the emotional toll of this failure, acknowledging the disappointment of not qualifying for three World Cups in a row. He emphasised the need for hard work to restore Italy's place in international football.

Roberto Mancini has returned as head coach, aiming to rejuvenate the national team. Mancini previously led Italy to victory at Euro 2020, and his return marks a potential turning point for the Azzurri. Donnarumma highlighted the responsibility the team has to its fans and the importance of working together to bring Italy back to its rightful position in world football.

Italy's recent struggles can be attributed to a decline in producing world-class talent. The national team has seen a significant drop in young players making an impact, with only one capped player under 24 between June 2025 and February 2026. Comparatively, England has managed to integrate a dozen young players during the same timeframe, highlighting Italy's challenges in nurturing new talent.

Mancini's latest squad features a blend of youth and experience, with nine uncapped players and 11 under 23 included. New talents such as Borussia Dortmund's Samuele Inacio and Chelsea-bound Honest Ahanor signal a shift towards a youth-inspired revolution. As Italy prepares for a challenging Nations League group, the emergence of these young stars may provide the spark needed to reignite the nation's footballing fortunes.

via Sky Sports