Italy’s national football team has always been a cauldron of passion, pride, and—let’s face it—plenty of drama. That’s certainly the case as the Azzurri navigate their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign under the fiery guidance of new coach Gennaro Gattuso. After a rollercoaster start to Group I, Italy finds itself second in the table, still chasing Norway and facing the real possibility of a playoff route to the world’s biggest stage. But while results have improved, not everyone is convinced that the Italian machine is running at full throttle.
Paolo Di Canio, never one to mince words, didn’t hold back after Italy’s recent 3-1 win over Estonia. Speaking on October 12, 2025, Di Canio admitted, “My answer is no,” when asked if he was excited by the victory. For Di Canio, the result was more a reflection of the opposition’s level than any true progress. “If I got excited about a win like this one, it would mean I’m placing Italy somewhere between Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia and with all due respect, I believe we are stronger than that,” he said, according to Napolimagazine. “And then I’d be throwing my football knowledge in the trash, ignoring the level of our opponent.”
It’s a stinging critique, but Di Canio’s frustration is rooted in deep affection for the national team. “I care deeply about the national team, and that’s exactly why I’m so critical,” he explained. “When I think that just a few weeks ago, we didn’t deserve to beat Israel and we only won 5-4 in the final seconds, while Norway could have beaten them 12-0, I simply can’t get carried away.”
Despite his criticisms, Di Canio did find a silver lining in the team’s renewed spirit under Gattuso. “On the other hand, I’m really happy about one thing: the team’s enthusiasm,” he said. “I saw several players, including Bonucci, celebrating passionately. It seemed forced at first, but I actually like it. The national team has been missing that sense of belonging, that self-awareness among the younger players.”
That sense of unity is something Gattuso is working hard to foster. Since taking over from Luciano Spalletti—dismissed after a humbling 3-0 defeat in Norway—Gattuso has injected intensity and a competitive edge into training. Sandro Tonali, one of Italy’s rising stars and a key figure in the current squad, described the atmosphere under the new boss. “We are enjoying ourselves in training, as Gattuso makes us work hard, but have fun too, which is important,” Tonali told Vivo Azzurro on October 9, 2025. “After Norway, every game has become even more important, so we know how much is at stake and we’re ready to give our all every time.”
Tonali’s admiration for Gattuso runs deep—and it’s more than just professional respect. “We found someone who loves to work hard and sweat for the shirt. The intensity levels are so high in training, it almost feels like a match,” Tonali said. “He passed on the desire to train hard and become super-competitive again. In the past, we’d get lost so easily, problems arose at the first sign of trouble. Now we’re all back to hitting hard. His level of focus and concentration is so high in training, that he makes sure you feel the same way too.”
For Tonali, Gattuso isn’t just a coach; he’s an idol. The Newcastle United midfielder, who became Milan’s biggest ever sale when he joined the Premier League, shared a charming anecdote about his childhood fandom. “I was given a mug with Gattuso on it and I had breakfast with that for four or five years. It got smashed, which was disastrous, but I managed to piece it back together, and I still have it,” Tonali revealed. That kind of devotion speaks volumes about the aura Gattuso brings to the Azzurri locker room.
Italy’s recent run of three consecutive wins under Gattuso has steadied the ship, but the journey is far from over. The Azzurri remain second in Group I, trailing Norway by six points and facing a daunting goal-difference gap. The likelihood of needing to navigate the playoffs to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup looms large. Next up for Italy is a home showdown with Israel in Udine on Tuesday, October 14, 2025—a match that could prove pivotal in their campaign. After that, the final two group games await: Moldova away, then Norway at the iconic San Siro in November.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the pressure is palpable. Memories of past heartbreaks still haunt the squad, as Tonali himself recalled. “The World Cup play-off with North Macedonia, everything went wrong. We had 30 shots on goal and allowed one, we lost 1-0. It felt like the ball weighed 50kg,” he said, referencing the stunning defeat that denied Italy a place at the last World Cup.
Gattuso’s own journey as a player and now as a coach is a source of inspiration—and a reminder of the emotional highs and lows of Italian football. Alessandro Nesta, in a candid interview on Gianluca Gazzoli’s podcast Passa dal BSMT, recounted the aftermath of Milan’s infamous Champions League final loss to Liverpool in Istanbul. “We argued with the fans at the airport, Paolo Maldini spoke up. Nothing serious, but some strong words were exchanged,” Nesta said on October 12, 2025. “I stayed awake all night; some were crying, and Gattuso wanted to quit playing and leave. The coach was devastated too, and he was a very important point of reference for us.”
That devastating night in Istanbul left scars, but it also forged a fierce determination in Gattuso—a quality he’s now channeling as Italy’s coach. Two years after that heartbreak, Milan avenged their loss by beating Liverpool 2-1 in Athens, a testament to resilience and the power of unity. It’s that same spirit Gattuso hopes to instill in his Azzurri side as they chase World Cup redemption.
Tonali, for his part, is thriving in England but keeps the door open for a return to Serie A. “It’s difficult to say, you never can know what you might want to do or what could happen. I always say yes, because as an Italian, you always have a possibility even if it’s 1 per cent of coming back to Serie A. Maybe not right now, as I am in a moment where I’ve found my way and it’s all going well. I’d never close the door to Serie A because it is my country, and the league is getting better all the time. The teams are stronger and you see the technical level of Serie A rising.”
With the next crucial qualifier against Israel looming, all eyes are on Gattuso’s Italy. The Azzurri have rediscovered some of their old fire, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Will this new sense of belonging and competitive edge be enough to propel Italy back to the World Cup? The answer will unfold over the coming weeks, as a nation holds its breath and dares to dream once more.