Italy has never appointed a foreign coach to lead its national football team, yet recent events might suggest that a change in this long-standing tradition could be warranted. The term “curse” aptly describes Italy’s unfortunate streak, having failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup through the playoffs for the third consecutive time. This is particularly striking given that the tournament, expanded to include 48 teams, was anticipated to be more accessible, albeit at the risk of diluting competitive quality and producing lopsided scorelines.
Italy’s Struggles on the International and Club Stages
Despite the broadened format designed to accommodate a wider array of national teams, the Italian squad—known affectionately as the Azzurra—has once again missed out on participating in this “open” World Cup. This repeated failure raises critical questions: Does the narrowing gap between national teams globally make victories harder to secure, or is Italy confronting a profound crisis, not only within its national team but also across its domestic clubs, as evidenced by their recent underwhelming performances in European competitions?
The underlying reality appears to be a combination of both factors. On one hand, the increasing competitiveness among international teams has elevated the challenge of qualification. On the other hand, Italy’s football infrastructure and strategic approach—both at the national and club levels—seem to grapple with systemic issues that hinder their success on the global stage.