Italian football has hit a historic low point this season, with clubs and the national team both struggling to make an impact on the European stage. In continental competitions, no Italian side progressed beyond the quarter‑finals, and Atalanta was the sole Serie A representative to reach the Champions League round of 16. The situation was even more stark for the Azzurri, who missed out on a third consecutive World Cup appearance – an outcome that seems almost unthinkable for a nation that has lifted the trophy four times. The first two missed qualifications were somewhat softened by the euphoria of the Euro 2020 triumph in London, a victory that gave fans a brief glimpse of hope.
The latest failure, however, proved to be the final straw. The new 48‑team World Cup format simply did not include Italy, prompting a cascade of resignations: head coach Gennaro Gattuso stepped down, Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina quit his post, and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon relinquished his role as head of delegation. "It’s a painful subject for me because failing to qualify for three World Cups in a row is a huge blow, and Italy certainly doesn’t deserve it," Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma told Sky Sports.
"We have to work. The only way forward is to work. The return of Roberto Mancini as coach gives us a chance to rebuild and bring Italy back to where it belongs." Mancini, the architect of the 2020 European Championship win, has been reappointed to steer the national side out of this crisis.
Donnarumma echoed the sentiment, stressing the weight of history on the players' shoulders: "We know how much it means to the fans and to us to play in a World Cup. History teaches us that Italy should always be there, so we must do everything we can to restore that place." The belief that Italy belongs among the elite is unquestionable, yet the reality on the pitch tells a different story.
The 2022 World Cup disaster is merely the latest chapter in a long decline that began after the 2006 triumph. Two decades have passed since Italy’s dramatic penalty‑shootout victory over France, and that remains the last time the Azzurri reached the knockout stage of a World Cup. Since then, the national team has recorded only a single World Cup win – a 2‑1 triumph over England in Brazil 2014. There was a bright spot in 2012 when Italy reached the European Championship final, but the momentum has not been sustained.
Several factors explain the downturn. The golden generation that won the 2006 World Cup – featuring icons such as Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Del Piero – has long retired. By 2012, the remnants of that era were limited to Gianluigi Buffon, Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo. The subsequent retirement of stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci left a void that the newer generation has struggled to fill.
Data from the CIES Football Observatory underscores the talent shortage. Between 2020 and 2025, Italy produced just 413 exported footballers, ranking 24th globally and trailing nations like the United States, Japan and Russia. In contrast, the other four major European leagues each exported over 1,000 players during the same period, highlighting how Italian talent is less coveted by the continent’s top clubs.
The scarcity of high‑quality players is also evident in the national squad. From June 2025 to February 2026, only one capped player – Inter’s youngster Pio Esposito – was under 24, whereas England fielded a dozen teenagers in that timeframe. Moreover, in 2025 Italy allocated a mere 1.9 % of Serie A minutes to players under 21, the second‑lowest figure among the world’s top 50 leagues, beaten only by the United Arab Emirates Pro League.
Serie A itself has shown signs of stagnation. While clubs have splashed cash on veteran stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modrić and Jamie Vardy, there has been a noticeable lack of creative, forward‑thinking managerial appointments.
Coaches like Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, Gattuso, Luciano Spalletti and Maurizio Sarri have rotated among the big clubs without bringing fresh tactical ideas. Even this summer, Sarri moved to Atalanta and Allegri took over Juventus, reinforcing the perception of a closed‑loop system. Occasionally, outside influences spark innovation.
Cesc Fàbregas’s stint at Como, which helped the club qualify for the Champions League, demonstrated how fresh perspectives can rejuvenate Italian football. Similarly, Ruben Amorim’s arrival at AC Milan has produced an attractive brand of football that hints at what could happen if the league embraces new philosophies. There are encouraging signs that the tide may be turning. Mancini’s first squad selection featured a blend of experience and youth, with nine uncapped players and eleven under‑23 talents in a 34‑man roster.
Among the newcomers are 18‑year‑old Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inácio, Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor (who is set to join Chelsea), and Brentford’s Michael Kayode – all part of a budding “young revolution.” Inter’s promising forward Pio Esposito, who has already scored five goals in nine appearances for Italy, joins the ranks alongside FC Nürnberg’s prolific striker Ali Zoma (20 goals in 36 games in Germany’s second division) and Sporting CP midfielder Issa Doumbia. These players embody a new generation of Italian talent ready to make an impact. "We’ll have a mix of established veterans and younger players," Donnarumma explained.
"We need to help the youngsters integrate and give them the experience they need. They’re talented, and I’m confident Italy will return to its rightful place." The upcoming Nations League campaign will test this rejuvenated squad. Italy finds itself in a challenging Group A alongside Belgium, Turkey and France – a mini‑tournament of heavyweights that will demand cohesion, tactical discipline and the spark that has been missing for years. For a nation that has lingered in the shadows for too long, a single catalyst could ignite a revival.
Whether it is Mancini’s tactical acumen, the emergence of a new crop of players, or innovative ideas imported from abroad, the Azzurri need that breakthrough to re‑establish themselves among football’s elite. Fans can follow a deeper analysis of Italy’s predicament and a preview of Mancini’s second tenure on "The World Football Show" this Thursday at 2 p.m. on Sky Sports News, where experts will dissect the challenges ahead and discuss the realistic prospects of Italy’s return to the summit of world football.