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Italy's World Cup fate rests on play-off clash
Gennaro Gattuso, appointed Italy manager last June after Luciano Spalletti's dismissal, will lead the four-time World Cup winners into a high-stakes play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday. Victory would set up a final decider against Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at this summer's tournament in North America.
A nation in crisis
Italy's recent struggles on football's biggest stage have been stark. Despite lifting the delayed Euro 2020 trophy, the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, suffering play-off defeats to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. The 2006 champions have not featured at the tournament since 2014, a record that has left fans and pundits baffled.
Spalletti's departure last June, just one game into Italy's 2026 qualifying campaign, deepened the sense of instability. Daniele Verri, an Italian football journalist, described the search for a replacement as limited, with few viable candidates available. Claudio Ranieri was briefly considered but talks stalled, leaving Gattuso-despite his patchy club managerial record-as the pragmatic choice.
Gattuso's unproven pedigree
A midfielder in Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning side, Gattuso has managed 10 clubs in 12 years, including stints at AC Milan, Napoli, and Marseille. His longest tenure lasted just two years, and while he won the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020, his appointment as national team boss was widely viewed as a gamble.
Verri acknowledged the risks but highlighted Gattuso's charisma and motivation. "He doesn't bring vast national team experience, but they chose someone with the right attitude," Verri said. "Gattuso's passion for the Italy shirt could be the spark this team needs."
"Gattuso has the grit, mentality, and personality to lead this group. Buffon trusts him completely."
Daniele Verri, Italian football journalist
Pressure mounts ahead of semi-final
Italy's path to the 2026 World Cup has been fraught. After finishing second to Norway in their qualifying group, they now face Northern Ireland in Bergamo, with the winners advancing to a final play-off against Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina. A loss would mark the first time Italy-or any former World Cup winner-misses three consecutive tournaments.
Verri warned that Italy's domestic football issues-slow play, lack of emerging talent, and clubs' struggles in Europe-cannot be fixed overnight. "Gattuso alone can't solve these problems," he said. "But he's doing his job with the players available."
One game to rewrite history
Gattuso's record since taking charge stands at five wins from six matches, but the play-off looms as his defining test. A defeat could trigger another managerial upheaval, while victory would cement his status as the man who restored Italy's place among football's elite.
"If we qualify, Gattuso will be beloved," Verri said. "If not, it might be time to rethink again. The expectation is clear: Italy must compete at every major tournament."
The semi-final kicks off at 19:45 GMT on 26 March, with live coverage available on BBC platforms.
