Fast forward over ten years from that shocking 2014 World Cup exit in Brazil, Italy is now approaching the 2026 World Cup in North America as a top-seeded nation. This comes as the 54-team draw organizes 12 European qualifying groups next year.
FIFA is set to conduct the intricate draw in Zurich, which will determine how 16 European teams will earn a place in the first 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Italy has struggled to return to the grand stage, suffering surprising defeats in qualifying playoffs against Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022, both of which occurred on their home grounds.
“We have to be ready for the challenge,” commented Italy’s coach Luciano Spalletti earlier this week. “Wearing the national team jersey is something special. Think of how many fans wait hours just to get a glimpse of our bus when we travel abroad.”
For many young fans under the age of 15, memories of Italy competing in a World Cup are non-existent.
The 2014 squad featured legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, a formidable defense led by Chiellini, and forward Mario Balotelli, who managed a victory against England but finished behind Uruguay and Costa Rica in the group, marking a disappointing performance.
This result fits the broader trend of Italy’s poor World Cup history since they clinched their fourth title in Berlin in 2006, with two group-stage exits followed by two consecutive failures to qualify.
Although Spalletti’s Italy faced setbacks during the European Championship in June, suffering a defeat to Switzerland in the round of 16, they bounced back with an impressive 3-1 victory against France in the Nations League.
“We have demonstrated enough promise to be optimistic about our chances,” Spalletti added.
The Nations League has significantly influenced the dynamics of the draw set to take place Friday, which will feature some placeholder positions. Exact group details will remain unclear until March.
Among the 12 top-seeded nations, eight will compete in Nations League quarterfinals over two legs on March 20 and 23, including a matchup between Italy and Germany. The victorious teams will progress to the Nations League Final Four in June.
These Final Four teams will not participate in World Cup qualifying games until September and must be positioned in a four-team qualifying group. The format will involve six groups with four teams and six with five teams, kicking off in March.
Consequently, the draw will list two placeholders each for “Italy or Germany,” “Netherlands or Spain,” “Croatia or France,” and “Denmark or Portugal.”
Additional clarity regarding groups will arise from those headed by the top-seeded nations, including England, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria.
The twelve group winners in November will directly secure their spots in the World Cup, while four additional teams will find qualification through playoff brackets in March 2026.
World Cup qualifying groups draw seedings:
Pot 1: Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria.
Pot 2: Ukraine, Turkey, Sweden, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway.
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Israel.
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faeroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania.
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino.
