I write this as Roman Catholics the world over celebrate Easter and what many consider the greatest story ever told.
Italy has always been a predominantly Catholic country, a nation steeped in tradition and pride for its religion, its architecture, its cuisine and its football.
Yet the truth is, there is simply no pride in its national team right now. Only embarrassment.
Reigning champions of Europe this time two years ago, now consigned to the history books for all the wrong reasons.
To fail to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 was a shock and led to the sacking of Gian Piero Venutra.
Ther failure to reach Qatar a year later was unacceptable but Roberto Mancini had enough credit in the bank from their European Championship success to survive.
When Italy exited the European Championships so meekly at the last 16 stage in 2024, bowing out as holders to Switzerland with barely a whimper, the criticism back home really stung but Luciano Spalletti initially stayed in post.
However, for the four-time world champions to miss out on the world’s biggest stage for the third time in a row – when a staggering 48 nations were able to qualify – is unforgivable.
How could this possibly happen yet again to a superpower of the world game? No previous winner of the tournament has missed three consecutive instalments of the competition.
A tearful manager Gennaro Gattuso, one of their midfield generals in more glorious times, insisted his future was not important after the head of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, told reporters he had asked Gattuso to stay.
But, of course, within days both men had gone (not that they alone were responsible) and, once the pain and anger eases – and that will take some time –the rebuilding process could well take some time.
The challenge for Italy’s new leadership, both at federation level and in the dugout, will be to channel the anger and embarrassment into genuine structural reform.
On the pitch, at least, that will begin with the Nations League in the autumn when a genuinely demanding group pits them alongside France, Belgium and Turkey.
On the upside, whoever takes charge of the Azzurri will face a competitive platform to begin the rebuilding process in earnest.
On the downside, there is so much work to be done.
As the world and his wife once more ask just how Italy could miss out, one consistent common theme is emerging.
It is an argument that has been levelled at England in the past too: that there are simply not enough opportunities handed to Italian players in the domestic top-flight.
That view was reiterated on Easter Monday when only one Italian was in the starting line-ups during the Udinese v Como Serie A match.
The passionate Italian media have not been kind and who can blame them.
Corriere della Sera called the elimination, which came after Italy suffered a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in last week’s play-offs, the “World Cup 2026 curse” while Gazzetta dello Sport marked it the “third apocalypse”.
The most cutting statement, though, came from former prime minister, Matteo Renzi, hours after the defeat.
‘Unfortunately, the third consecutive elimination from the World Cup is not an April fool’s joke. It’s a sign that Italian football has failed. Football isn’t just entertainment in our country; it’s part of our culture and national identity.’
Perhaps what has happened should not be that much of a surprise. After all, the national team failed to reach the knockout stages at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups (the former, when they were holders).
So maybe Italians have long understood that 2018 was not some aberration but the continuation of a trend.
After the very first of those disappointments there was acknowledgment of a need to change gear. In August 2010, weeks after Italy finished bottom of a group featuring Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand, Arrigo Sacchi was appointed as coordinator of the national youth teams and Roberto Baggio as president of the Italian Football Federation’s technical sector – a body charged with studying and disseminating best practices for coaching and player development.
Although neither stayed too long in post, there have been recent green shoots: Italy won the European under-19 Championship in 2023 and the under-17s title in 2024.
They also have enough senior players in their current squad who are too talented to stay down for long.
What has happened has happened. In an era where world tournaments provide numerous chances for the powerhouses, it should never happen again.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
