It’s been a whirlwind year for Italy’s national football team, and as the calendar turns to 2026, the Azzurri find themselves at a crossroads. The past twelve months have been anything but routine for a nation steeped in footballing tradition, with dramatic coaching changes, stinging defeats, and the looming specter of another missed World Cup all swirling into a narrative that’s both tense and tantalizing for fans and players alike.
The story begins with the turbulent conclusion of Luciano Spalletti’s tenure as head coach. After a string of disappointing results—including two heavy losses to Norway, most notably the November 16, 2025, defeat at San Siro, and a bruising elimination by Germany in the Nations League—the Italian Football Federation made the bold move to hand the reins to Gennaro Gattuso. Known for his fiery demeanor and relentless energy as a player, Gattuso’s appointment was met with a mix of hope and skepticism. Could the former midfield enforcer instill the grit and identity Italy so desperately needed?
Gattuso wasted no time making his mark. “When I received the offer to become the coach of Italy, I immediately said ‘yes’, without studying the pros and cons of this choice,” he reflected in a lengthy interview with the team’s official channel, Vivo Azzurro. “I accepted and I do not regret it, I am proud to represent my country. I feel privileged, a very lucky man. I have the responsibility to lead the Italian National Team and I think that millions of people would like to be in my country.”
His first six months at the helm have yielded a record of five wins and only one loss in six matches. That’s an impressive turnaround for a squad that, just months prior, looked listless and bereft of confidence. “I knew I was taking on a big responsibility and that it wasn’t easy, but we have to say that in the 6 games we played, apart from the last challenge where we made a mistake in the second half, the players gave everything,” Gattuso noted. “The team has always been ready. I saw very positive behavior, a positive mentality and a strong sense of belonging. I found a group of players who are looking to give everything they have, I think this is perceived.”
Yet, despite this resurgence, the Azzurri’s journey is far from over. Italy now faces a critical juncture: the World Cup 2026 qualifying playoff phase in spring. First up is a must-win clash against Northern Ireland at home, followed by a daunting trip to either Wales or Bosnia. On current form, neither opponent looks like a pushover, and the pressure is immense. After all, Italy hasn’t graced a World Cup since 2014—an absence that weighs heavily on the nation’s collective psyche.
Gattuso is acutely aware of the stakes. “Qualifying for the World Cup is an obsession, we have to return to where we have been for many years, even as protagonists,” he declared. “We have to want it at all costs, not start seeing the ghosts of the past at the first difficulty.” Memories of the shock defeat to North Macedonia in the last playoff cycle still haunt Italian fans, and Gattuso is determined not to let history repeat itself. “We must not make the same mistake as 4 years ago with North Macedonia,” he warned. “Modern football says that there are no easy matches anymore, that any opponent can put you in difficulty. The important thing is to react, to know how to react, not to lose the fight if something negative happens and to have continuity for the 90 minutes.”
Key to Italy’s hopes will be the fitness of midfield anchors Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella. The loss of either would be a devastating blow, especially with so much riding on these playoff games. Gattuso, ever the vigilant observer, is often spotted in Serie A crowds, keeping tabs on his players and hoping that none fall victim to injury. “Part one of Gattuso’s Christmas wish list will undoubtedly be to keep all his key players fit for the vital matches on the horizon,” Football Italia observed.
Defensively, Italy’s once-vaunted back line has shown cracks. For a country that practically invented the art of defending, this is a shocking development. Gattuso knows a “gentle revolution” is needed to rejuvenate the rearguard and restore the fear factor that once defined Italian football. Integrating emerging talents like Francesco Pio Esposito could be part of the solution, provided they get enough playing time at club level—a perennial challenge given the scarcity of Italian starters in Serie A.
Up front, there’s cautious optimism. Gattuso’s decision to pair Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui has paid dividends, with the duo providing much-needed goalscoring punch. If they can stay healthy and in form, the Azzurri’s attack could be a real handful for playoff opponents. Still, the mystery of Federico Chiesa’s form and availability lingers. Four years removed from his electrifying Euro 2020 performances, Chiesa’s impact has waned, and questions remain about his role with both Liverpool and the national team. The lines of communication between player and coach remain open, but time is of the essence.
Gattuso’s approach to the coming months is measured. “I have to live the day,” he said. “I am no longer the Gattuso of once upon a time, the one who had a goal and prepared only for it. Today I am a different person, I do a completely different job. I am the first to transmit calm, I have to make as few mistakes as possible and make the right choices.” He and his staff will spend the winter monitoring players, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring that everyone is ready for the challenge ahead. “I often talk to them, not just with the veterans. I like to communicate, I am in contact with them.”
There’s no denying the sacrifices players have made, especially given the limited pool of Italian talent in the domestic league. “We have strong players, although it is a fact that in our championship there are few Italian players,” Gattuso acknowledged. “In these months I have greatly appreciated the sacrifices made by the boys, there were those who were not feeling well, but who stayed the whole time. In my career I have come to Coverciano many times on crutches. It is right, a group is not created with just 3-4 days spent together.”
As Italy braces for a defining spring, the nation’s footballing fate hangs in the balance. The next few months will test the mettle of Gattuso and his squad, offering a chance to rebuild not just a team, but a proud footballing identity. Will the Azzurri rise to the occasion and reclaim their place among the world’s elite? The answer awaits on the pitch, where reputations are forged and dreams are either realized or dashed.
