Italy's national football coach loses position after Norway's disappointing results
Join the conversation: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Email | Print | Copy Link
Italy's 2026 World Cup dreams have taken a significant hit following the unexpected sacking of national team coach Luciano Spalletti. This move came after Italy suffered a crushing 0-3 defeat to Norway in their first World Cup qualifier, sparking criticism and jeopardizing their World Cup bid.
A Rough Ride for Spalletti
- Appointment: Spalletti was brought in to replace Roberto Mancini with the aim of reversing Italy's slump in major tournaments, after missing out on the last two World Cups[1][3].
- EURO 2024 Performance: Despite a less than impressive performance at EURO 2024, resulting in an early exit against Switzerland, the Italian Football Federation decided to stick with Spalletti[1].
- UEFA Nations League and World Cup Qualifiers: The team's disappointing performance continued in the UEFA Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers, with Italy failing to qualify for the Nations League Finals and struggling in the qualifiers[1][3].
The End of an Era
- Spalletti's Farewell Match: In his final match as Italy's coach, Spalletti led the team to a 2-0 victory over Moldova, offering a parting gift and keeping Italy's qualification hopes alive[2][3].
- Current Standings: As it stands, Italy lags behind Norway in Group I, with Norway securing four wins and Italy needing to overtake them or face the playoffs[3][5].
The Road Ahead
Following Spalletti's departure, hopes were high that Claudio Ranieri might step in as the new coach. However, Ranieri declined the offer, leaving Italy in turmoil as they scramble to find a suitable replacement ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
[1] [LAigg.it: Italy's World Cup Hopes in Danger After Norway Defeat] (https://www.laigg.it/2023/10/18/italy-world-cup-norway-defeat/)
[2] [Guardian: Italy Seals World Cup Qualification Scaling Moldova] (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/10/17/italy-seals-world-cup-qualification-scaling-moldova)
[3] [LaRepubblica: Italy's Disastrous World Cup Qualifiers Continue with Norway Defeat] (https://www.larepubblica.it/sport/calcio/2023/10/18/news/disastro_norvegia_italia_2146847/)
[5] [FIFA: 2026 World Cup Qualifying Table] (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/qualifiers/men/next/group-i)
Tags: #Italy #WorldCup #Qualifiers #Football #Spalletti #Ranieri #Norway #3-0 #Qualification #Chaos
In the wake of Italy's 0-3 loss to Norway, the Italian Football Federation is seeking a new coach to replace Luciano Spalletti, as Claudio Ranieri declined the offer. Meanwhile, the Italian community is debating potential vocational training programs to develop the nation's athletes, recognizing the importance of sports, particularly football, in achieving their 2026 World Cup dreams.
The Italian Football Federation is reviewing various options for a suitable replacement, as they aim to revitalize their World Cup qualifiers strategy. Simultaneously, discussions are underway within the community to propose policies and vocational training opportunities for young athletes, with the ultimate goal of improving Italy's performance on the football field and securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
