Jakarta –
The Italian national team must undergo a playoff if they want to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. If sadly Gli Azzurri fail to qualify, it could be a disaster for the Serie A competition too!
The Italian national team will take part in the 2026 European Zone World Cup playoff round against Northern Ireland on March 26. If they win, Italy will continue to face Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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The Italian national team previously failed to qualify for the World Cup in the last two editions in 2018 and 2022. Even in the midst of that, the anomaly was that they were able to win the 2020 European Cup.
Even if they fail to make it to the World Cup again next year, it will be a dark stain in the last 100 years of Gli Azzurri’s journey!
The Italian national team has an average squad of 27.1 years old. It cannot be denied that the regeneration of Italian players is slow.
The current top scorer for the Italian national team is Mateo Retegui who has 11 goals. However, Retegui competes in the Saudi Arabian League with Al Qadsiah.
In the 1990s to early 2000s, Italy had several top strikers. Unfortunately now, there are no Italian strikers (especially young ones) who can steal the stage.
It is believed that Serie A (Italian League) clubs do not produce many talented young players. In fact, in recent seasons, Serie A has preferred to recruit top players who are aging. For example, Luka Modric, who is 40 years old and is AC Milan’s midfield general.
Not to mention, the mainstay players at big Serie A clubs are not Italian players. Juventus does not have an Italian player who is a champion in the attack line. Likewise, Inter only has young Italian striker Pio Esposito, who is 20 years old and is only a substitute
The movement of the transfer market and the development of young players seems to be a big homework for Italy. If we don’t qualify for the 2026 World Cup again, the situation could be even more complicated.
Countries that qualify for the World Cup will definitely make money, attract the attention of the global market and receive sponsors. Italy needs that, so that it continues to be a center for investors on European soil.
The entire Italian ecosystem also boils down to the success of its national team. Specifically academy development, player valuation and league attractiveness.
Italy is truly a country that cannot be underestimated. He has won four World Cup titles from the six finals he has played in.
Gli Azzurri also have lots of tifosi. It seems that it has become a fixed price for Gattuso’s troops to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. So that Italy can still be looked at.
(aff/aff)
