Will Italy be able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup or will we see another disappointment from the Azzurri?
Brazil is home to the largest community of Italian descendants outside of Italy. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 33 million Italian-Brazilians (some recent sources point to around 32.8 million), not counting the almost one million registered Italian citizens with dual citizenship.
This explains why, around here, the heart beats strong for Nazionale. It’s almost a family affair! Italy’s chance of qualifying exists and is considerable, but far from guaranteed.
After an irregular knockout cycle, the Azzurri finished second in their group (behind Norway) and now need to win two consecutive knockout matches, both in a single game – the famous UEFA playoff knockout.
The path is set: First game: at home, against Northern Ireland (26 March 2026). If passed: face the winner of Wales x Bosnia and Herzegovina, away from home (March 31).
The factors that worry (a lot) the fans: It is the third consecutive time in the playoffs – it has already fallen to Sweden (2018) and North Macedonia (2022). Another stumble would be catastrophic and would mean missing three consecutive World Cups (2018, 2022 and now 2026?).
The Italian press openly talks about structural problems, the lack of a top scorer, difficulties against closed defenses…
The specter of the heavy defeat to Norway in the qualifiers still lingers, as well as stumbles in friendlies and in the Nations League.
Finally, for the immense Italian-Brazilian fans spread across São Paulo, Rio, Sul, Minas and many other places: the feeling is one of anxiety mixed with hope.
My recommendation? Wait, but not too long…
Or, as the dear Italians say with that ancient wisdom:
Hope, but not too much…
Here’s to victories and a place in the World Cup!
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
