Italy National Football Team

The Italy national football team () has represented Italy in men's international football since its first match in 1910. The national team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the governing body for football in Italy, which is a co-founder and member of UEFA. Italy's home matches are played at various stadiums throughout Italy, and its primary training ground and technical headquarters, Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano, is located in Florence.

Italy is one of the most successful national teams in international competitions, having won four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), reaching two more finals (1970, 1994), and finishing third place in 1990 and fourth in 1978. Italy also won two European Championships (1968, 2020), and appeared in two other finals of the tournament (2000, 2012). Italy's team also finished as runners-up in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022, and in third place at both the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and at the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and 2023.

The team is known as ''gli Azzurri'' (the Blues), because Savoy blue is the common colour of the national teams representing Italy, as it is the traditional paint of the royal House of Savoy, which reigned over the Kingdom of Italy. In 1938, Italy became the first team to defend its World Cup title, and due to the outbreak of World War II, retained the title for a further twelve years. Italy had also previously won two Central European International Cups ( 1927–30, 1933–35). Between its first two World Cup victories, Italy won the Olympic football tournament (1936). After the majority of the team was killed in a plane crash in 1949, Italy obtained poor results in the 1950s, even failing to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. Failure to qualify for the World Cup did not happen again until the consecutive editions of 2018 and 2022. However, the team was unbeaten from October 2018 to October 2021, and holds the world record for most consecutive matches without defeat (37).

Italy has notable rivalries with other footballing nations, such as Brazil, France, Germany and Spain. In the FIFA World Rankings, in force since August 1993, Italy has occupied first place several times, in November 1993 and during 2007 (February, April–June, September), with its worst placement in August 2018 in 21st place.

History

Origins and first two World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938

An early attempt to create an Italian national team occurred on 30 April 1899, when an Italian selection played a Swiss eleven, losing 0–2 in Torino. The team's first official match was held in Milan on 15 May 1910. Italy defeated France by a score of 6–2, with Italy's first goal scored by Pietro Lana. The Italian team played with a (2–3–5) system and consisted of De Simoni, Varisco, Calì, Trerè, Fossati, Capello, Debernardi, Rizzi, Cevenini I, Lana, Boiocchi, with Calì as the team's first captain.

The first success in an official tournament was the bronze medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. After losing the semi-final against Uruguay, an 11–3 victory against Egypt secured third place in the competition. In the 1927–30 and 1933–35 Central European International Cup, Italy achieved first place out of five Central European teams, topping the group with 11 points in both editions of the tournament. Italy would also later win the gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics with a 2–1 victory in extra time in the gold medal match over Austria on 15 August 1936.

After declining to participate in the inaugural World Cup (1930, in Uruguay) the Italy national team won two consecutive editions of the tournament in 1934 and 1938, under the direction of coach Vittorio Pozzo and the performance of Giuseppe Meazza, who is considered one of the best Italian football players of all time by some. Italy hosted the 1934 World Cup, and played their first ever World Cup match in a 7–1 win over the United States in Rome. Italy defeated Czechoslovakia 2–1 in extra time in the final in Rome, with goals by Raimundo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio to achieve their first World Cup title. They achieved their second title in 1938 in a 4–2 defeat of Hungary, with two goals by Gino Colaussi and two goals by Silvio Piola in the World Cup that followed. It is rumored that before the 1938 finals fascist Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini sent a telegram to the team, saying "Vincere o morire!" (literally translated as "Win or die!"). However, no record remains of such a telegram, and World Cup player Pietro Rava said when interviewed: "No, no, no, that's not true. He sent a telegram wishing us well, but no never 'win or die'."

Reconstruction in the 1950s and 1960s

In 1949, 10 of the 11 players in the team's initial line-up were killed in a plane crash that affected Torino, winners of the previous five Serie A titles. Italy did not advance further than the first round of the 1950 World Cup, as they were weakened severely due to the air disaster. The team had travelled by boat rather than by plane, fearing another accident.Lisi (2007), p. 47

In the 1954 and 1962 World Cups, Italy failed to progress past the first round, and did not qualify for the 1958 World Cup due to a 2–1 defeat to Northern Ireland in the last match of the qualifying round. Italy did not take part in the first edition of the European Championship in 1960 (then known as the European Nations Cup), and was knocked out by the Soviet Union in the first round of the 1964 European Nations' Cup qualifying.

Their participation in the 1966 World Cup was ended by a 0–1 defeat at the hands of North Korea. Despite being the tournament favourites, the ''Azzurri'', whose 1966 squad included Gianni Rivera and Giacomo Bulgarelli, were eliminated in the first round by the semi-professional North Koreans. The Italian team was bitterly condemned upon their return home, while North Korean scorer Pak Doo-ik was celebrated as the David who killed Goliath. Upon Italy's return home, furious fans threw fruit and rotten tomatoes at their transport bus at the airport.

European champions and World Cup runners-up (1968–1974)

In 1968, Italy hosted the European Championship and won the tournament in its first participation, beating Yugoslavia in Rome and winning their first major competition since the 1938 World Cup. The final ended in a 1–1 draw after extra time, and the rules of the time required the match to be replayed a few days later. This would be the only time the final of the European Championship or World Cup was replayed. On 10 June 1968, Italy won the replay 2–0 (with goals from Gigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi) to take the trophy.

In the 1970 World Cup, exploiting the performances of European champions' players like Giacinto Facchetti, Gianni Rivera and Gigi Riva and with a new centre-forward Roberto Boninsegna, the team were able to return to the World Cup final match after 32 years. They reached this result after one of the most famous matches in football history—the " Game of the Century", the 1970 World Cup semifinal between Italy and West Germany that Italy won 4–3 in extra time, with five of the seven goals coming in extra time. They were later defeated by Brazil in the final 4–1.

After losing to Belgium in the quarter-finals to qualify for the 1972 European Championship, this generation's cycle ended at the 1974 World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the group stage after a 2–1 loss against Poland in the last match of the group.

Third World Cup title generation (1978–1986)

Under the initial guide of Fulvio Bernardini and later that of head coach Enzo Bearzot, a new generation of Italian players came to the international stage in the second half of the 1970s. At the 1978 World Cup, Italy was the only team in the tournament to beat the eventual champions and host team Argentina, and the ''Azzurri'' made it to the third-place final, where they were defeated by Brazil 2–1. In the second round group stage match against the Netherlands, which prevented Italy from reaching the final, Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff was beaten by a long-distance shot from Arie Haan, and Zoff was criticised for the defeat. Italy hosted the 1980 European Championship, the first edition to be held between eight teams instead of four, automatically qualifying for the finals as hosts. After two draws with Spain and Belgium and a narrow 1–0 win over England, Italy were beaten by Czechoslovakia in the third-place match on penalties 9–8 after Fulvio Collovati missed his kick.

After a scandal in Serie A, where some national team players such as Paolo Rossi were prosecuted and suspended for match fixing and illegal betting, the ''Azzurri'' qualified for the second round of the 1982 World Cup after three uninspiring draws against Poland, Peru, and Cameroon. Having been loudly criticised, the Italian team decided on a press black-out from then on, with only coach Enzo Bearzot and captain Dino Zoff appointed to speak to the press. Italy's second group was a group of death with Argentina and Brazil. In the opener, Italy prevailed 2–1 over Argentina, with Italy's goals, both left-footed strikes, being scored by Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini. After Brazil defeated Argentina 3–1, Italy needed to win in order to advance to the semi-finals. Italy took the lead twice with Paolo Rossi's goals, and twice Brazil came back. When Falcão scored to equalise at 2–2, Brazil would have been through on goal difference, but in the 74th minute Rossi scored the winning goal, for a hat-trick, in a crowded penalty area to send Italy to the semifinals after one of the greatest games in World Cup history. Italy then progressed to the semi-final where they defeated Poland with two goals from Rossi.

In the final on 11 July 1982, Italy met West Germany in Madrid. The first half ended scoreless, after Antonio Cabrini missed a penalty awarded for a Hans-Peter Briegel foul on Bruno Conti. In the second half Paolo Rossi again scored the first goal, and while the Germans were pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Marco Tardelli and substitute Alessandro Altobelli finalised two ''contropiede'' counterattacks to make it 3–0. Paul Breitner scored West Germany's consolation goal seven minutes before the end. Tardelli's screaming celebration after his goal was one of the defining images of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph. Paolo Rossi won the Golden Boot with six goals as well as the Golden Ball Award for the best player of the tournament, and 40-year-old captain-goalkeeper Dino Zoff became the oldest player to win the World Cup.

Italy subsequently failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1984, and then entered as reigning champions in the 1986 World Cup, but were eliminated by reigning European Champions, France, in the round of 16.

Vicini years and World Cup runners-up with Sacchi (1986–1994)

In 1986, Azeglio Vicini was appointed as new head coach, replacing Bearzot. He granted a central role to players such as Walter Zenga and Gianluca Vialli, and conceded a chance to young players coming from the U21 team; Vialli scored goals that gave Italy a 1988 European Championship pass, and he was shown like Altobelli's successor, having his same goal attitude. Both forwards stroke the target in Germany, where the Soviet Union defeated the ''Azzurri'' in the semi-finals.

Italy hosted the World Cup for the second time in 1990. The Italian attack featured talented forwards Salvatore Schillaci and a young Roberto Baggio. Italy played nearly all of their matches in Rome and did not concede a single goal in their first five matches; however, they lost the semi-final in Naples to defending champion Argentina. Argentinian player Diego Maradona, who played for Napoli, made comments prior to the game pertaining to the North–South inequality in Italy and the ''Risorgimento'', asking Neapolitans to root for Argentina in the game. Italy lost 4–3 on penalty kicks following a 1–1 draw after extra time. Schillaci's first-half opener was equalised in the second half by Claudio Caniggia's header for Argentina. Aldo Serena missed the final penalty kick with Roberto Donadoni also having his penalty saved by goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea. Italy went on to defeat England 2–1 in the third-place match in Bari, with Schillaci scoring the winning goal on a penalty to become the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

After failing to qualify for UEFA Euro 1992, Vicini was replaced by former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, who brought a new style of play. In November 1993, FIFA ranked Italy No. 1 since the ranking system was introduced in December 1992.

At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Italy lost the opening match against Ireland 0–1 at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. After a 1–0 win against Norway in East Rutherford and a 1–1 draw with Mexico at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., Italy advanced from Group E based on goals scored among the four teams tied on points. During their round of 16 match at Foxboro Stadium near Boston, Italy was down 0–1 late against Nigeria, but Baggio equalised in the 88th minute and a penalty in extra time to take the win. Baggio scored another late goal against Spain at their quarter-final match in Boston to seal a 2–1 win and two goals against Bulgaria in their semi-final match in New York for another 2–1 win. In the final, which took place in Los Angeles's Rose Bowl stadium 2,700 miles (4,320 km) and three time zones away from the Northeastern United States where they had played all their previous matches, Italy, who had 24 hours less rest than Brazil, played 120 minutes of scoreless football, taking the match to a penalty shootout, the first time a World Cup final was settled on penalties. Italy lost the subsequent shootout 3–2 after Baggio, who had been playing with the aid of a pain-killer injection and a heavily bandaged hamstring, missed the final penalty kick of the match, shooting over the crossbar.

Euro 2000 runners-up (1996–2000)

Italy, still led by Sacchi, qualified for Euro 1996 in England, but did not progress beyond the group stage. Having defeated Russia 2–1 and losing by the same score against the Czech Republic, Italy required a victory in their final group match against Germany to progress to the quarter-finals. However, Gianfranco Zola failed to convert a decisive penalty in a 0–0 draw against the Germans, who eventually won the tournament.

Finishing second behind England in the qualification campaign for the 1998 World Cup, Italy booked a place at the final tournament after defeating Russia in a play-off, with Pierluigi Casiraghi scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 aggregate victory on 15 November 1997. After finishing first in their group and overcoming Norway in the second round, Italy faced a penalty shoot-out in the quarterfinals, for the third World Cup in a row. The Italian side, where Alessandro Del Piero and Baggio renewed the controversial ''staffetta'' () between Mazzola and Rivera from 1970, held the eventual world champions and host team, France, to a 0–0 draw after extra time, but lost 4–3 in the shoot-out. With two goals scored in this tournament, Baggio remains the only Italian player to have scored in three different FIFA World Cups.

Two years later, at the Euro 2000, with four consecutive victories the team led by former captain Dino Zoff made it all the way to the semifinals, facing another penalty shoot-out but emerging victorious over the co-hosts, the Netherlands. Italian goalkeeper Francesco Toldo saved one penalty during the match and two in the shootout, while striker Francesco Totti scored his penalty with a ''cucchiaio'' () chip. Italy finished the tournament as runners-up, losing the final 2–1 against France (to a golden goal in extra time) after conceding an equalising goal just 30 seconds before the expected end of injury time. After the defeat, coach Dino Zoff resigned in protest after being criticised by AC Milan club president and politician Silvio Berlusconi.

Trapattoni years (2000–2004)

Giovanni Trapattoni took charge of the team in July 2000 following the resignation of Dino Zoff. Playing in Group 8 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification process, Italy finished undefeated after facing Romania, Georgia, Hungary and Lithuania. In the final tournament, a 2–0 victory against Ecuador with a double from Christian Vieri was followed by a series of controversial matches. During the match against Croatia, English referee Graham Poll incorrectly disallowed two regular goals resulting in a 2–1 defeat to Italy. Despite two goals being ruled for offsides, a late headed goal from Alessandro Del Piero helped Italy to a 1–1 draw with Mexico, proving enough to advance to the knockout stages.

Co-host country South Korea eliminated Italy in the 2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#South Korea vs Italy, round of 16 by a score of 2–1. The match proved controversial with members of the Italian team, most notably striker Francesco Totti and coach Giovanni Trapattoni, suggesting a conspiracy to eliminate Italy from the competition. Trapattoni even obliquely accused FIFA of ordering the official to ensure a Korean victory so that one of the two host nations would remain in the tournament. The most contentious decisions by the game referee Byron Moreno were an early penalty awarded to South Korea (saved by Buffon), a golden goal by Damiano Tommasi incorrectly ruled Offside (association football), offside, and the sending off of Totti after being presented with a second yellow card for an alleged diving (association football), dive in the penalty area. FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that the linesmen had been a "disaster" and admitted that Italy suffered from bad offside calls during the group matches, but he denied conspiracy allegations. While questioning Totti's sending off by Moreno, Blatter refused to blame Italy's loss entirely on the referees, stating: "Italy's elimination is not only down to referees and linesmen who made human not premeditated errors. Italy made mistakes both in defense and in attack."

Trapattoni stayed on and guided the team at UEFA Euro 2004, Euro 2004 in Portugal, where after draws against Denmark national football team, Denmark and Sweden men's national football team, Sweden along with a victory over Bulgaria in UEFA Euro 2004 Group C, Group C, Italy were eliminated following a three-way five point tie based on the number of goals scored in matches among the tied teams. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and then Italian football federation president Franco Carraro accused the Swedish and Danish teams of fixing the result of their final match (2-2 was the result which consented both teams to advance). Despite calls, then-UEFA spokesperson Robert Faulkner said the organization would not investigate the result.

2006 World Cup victory

The Italian Football Federation replaced Trapattoni with Marcello Lippi. With 2006 Serie A scandal, controversy plaguing the 2005-06 Serie A, domestic league, Italy entered the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 2006 World Cup as one of the 2006 FIFA World Cup#Seeds, eight seeded teams. Italy finished first in Group E with wins against Ghana and the Czech Republic and a draw with the United States. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup#Round of 16, round of 16, Italy secured a 1–0 victory over Australia men's national soccer team, Australia with Francesco Totti scoring a penalty. Italy overcame Ukraine national football team, Ukraine, 3–0, after taking an early lead through Gianluca Zambrotta and additional goals coming from Luca Toni. In the semi-finals, Italy beat hosts Germany 2–0 with goals Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero in the last minutes of extra time.

On 9 July 2006, the ''Azzurri'' won their fourth World Cup title after defeating France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, final. French captain Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute before Marco Materazzi scored from a corner kick, twelve minutes later. The score remained level and during extra-time and Zidane was sent off for headbutting Materazzi. Italy went on to win the penalty shootout 5–3, with all Italian players scoring their kicks. The decisive penalty goal was scored by Grosso.

FIFA named seven Italian players — Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Francesco Totti and Luca Toni — to the 23-man tournament FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team, All Star Team. Buffon also won the Yashin Award, Lev Yashin Award, given to the best goalkeeper of the tournament; he conceded only two goals in the tournament's seven matches, the first an own goal by Christian Zaccardo, Zaccardo and the second from Zidane's penalty kick in the final, and remained unbeaten for 460 consecutive minutes. In honour of Italy winning a fourth World Cup, members of the squad were awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Italian Order of Merit of ''Cavaliere''.

The decline of the world champions (2006–2010)

Marcello Lippi, who had announced his resignation three days after the World Cup triumph, was replaced by Roberto Donadoni. Italy qualified for Euro 2008 by winning their UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group B, group ahead of France. On 14 February 2007, Italy climbed to first in the FIFA World Rankings for the second time. At UEFA Euro 2008, Euro 2008, the ''Azzurri'' lost 3–0 to the Netherlands in the opening match of the group stage. The following game against Romania ended 1–1 thanks to a penalty save from Gianluigi Buffon. Italy would win their final group game against France 2–0, a rematch of the 2006 World Cup final. The ''Azzurri'' were eliminated in the quarter-finals on penalties to eventual champions Spain. Within a week of the game, Roberto Donadoni's contract was terminated and Marcello Lippi was rehired as coach.

Italy qualified for their first ever FIFA Confederations Cup held in South Africa in June 2009 by virtue of winning the 2006 World Cup. They won their opening match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, tournament against the United States, but subsequent defeats to Egypt and Brazil meant that they finished third in the group on goals scored (points level with the US and Egypt), and were eliminated.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2010 World Cup in South Africa, reigning champions Italy were unexpectedly eliminated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F, first round, finishing last place in their group. After being held to 1–1 draws with Paraguay national football team, Paraguay and New Zealand men's national football team, New Zealand, they suffered a 3–2 loss to Slovakia national football team, Slovakia. It was the first time Italy failed to win a single game at a World Cup tournament, and in doing so became only the third nation to be eliminated in the first round while being reigning World Cup champions.

Euro 2012 runners-up and fluctuating results (2010–2018)

Marcello Lippi stepped down after Italy's World Cup campaign and was replaced by Cesare Prandelli, although Lippi's successor had already been announced before the tournament.

At UEFA Euro 2012, Italy finished second in their group behind Spain, which earned them a quarter-final tie against England. After a mostly one-sided affair in which Italy failed to take their chances, they managed to beat England on penalties. In the semi-final against Germany, two first-half goals by Mario Balotelli saw the Italians through to the final. In the UEFA Euro 2012 Final, final, Italy fell to a 4–0 defeat to Spain.

During the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil, Italy reached the semi-finals, losing 7–6 on penalties to Spain. Italy did manage to beat Uruguay in the third place play-off. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Italy defeated England 2–1 in their first match before succumbing to underdogs Costa Rica national football team, Costa Rica 1–0 in the second group stage match. In Italy's last group match, they were knocked out by Uruguay 1–0, in a controversial match, where Italian player Claudio Marchisio was controversially sent off whilst Uruguay's Luis Suarez bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini without any sanction. Shortly after this loss, coach Cesare Prandelli resigned.

Former Juventus FC, Juventus manager Antonio Conte was selected to replace Prandelli. On 10 October 2015, Italy qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, Euro 2016, courtesy of a 3–1 win over Azerbaijan national football team, Azerbaijan; the result meant that Italy had gone 50 games unbeaten in European qualifiers. On 4 April 2016, it was announced that Antonio Conte would step down as Italy coach after Euro 2016 to become head coach of Chelsea F.C., Chelsea. The 23-man squad was initially criticised by many fans and members of the media for its lack of quality, which saw notable absences, such as Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco being controversially left out. Italy opened Euro 2016 with a 2–0 victory over Belgium and qualified thanks to a win against Sweden in the second match, which made their defeat 1–0 to Ireland in the final group stage match irrelevant for access to the round of 16. Italy subsequently defeated reigning European champions Spain 2–0 in the round of 16. However, Italy were defeated by reigning 2014 FIFA World Cup final, world champions Germany in the quarter-finals on penalties, after a 1–1 draw.

Failure to qualify for 2018 World Cup

After Conte's planned departure following Euro 2016, Gian Piero Ventura took over as manager for the team. During 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Italy finished second in Group G, five points behind Spain. Italy would compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round, play-off round against Sweden, where they lost 1–0 on aggregate and therefore eliminated; the first time that Italy had failed to qualify for the World Cup since 1958 FIFA World Cup, 1958. Following the match, veterans Andrea Barzagli, Daniele De Rossi and captain Gianluigi Buffon all declared their retirement from the national team. On 15 November 2017, Ventura was dismissed as head coach, and on 20 November 2017, Carlo Tavecchio resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation. Luigi Di Biagio was called as caretaker manager and led the team in subsequent friendlies in March 2018, including the last of Buffon's 176 appearances on 23 March in a friendly against Argentina.

Resurgence and second European title (2018–2021)

On 14 May 2018, Roberto Mancini was announced as the new manager. On 16 August 2018, in the first FIFA World Rankings update that followed the World Cup, Italy dropped to their lowest-ever ranking of 21st. On 18 November 2019, Italy finished UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, Euro 2020 qualifying with ten wins in all ten matches, becoming only the sixth side to qualify for a European Championship with a perfect record. On 17 March 2020, UEFA confirmed that UEFA Euro 2020, Euro 2020 would be postponed by one year due to the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football, COVID-19 pandemic.

At the delayed Euro 2020, Italy finished top of Group A, ahead of Turkey national football team, Turkey, Switzerland national football team, Switzerland, and Wales national football team, Wales. Being one of the host nations, Italy played all three group games at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, and it became the first team in European Championship history to win each group stage match without conceding. In the round of 16, Italy defeated Austria 2–1 at Wembley Stadium after extra time. In the quarter-finals, Italy secured a 2–1 victory over Belgium, before beating Spain on penalties in the semi-finals.

In the UEFA Euro 2020 final, final, on 11 July 2021, Italy won the European Championship defeating hosts England at Wembley Stadium on penalties after a 1–1 draw, for their second European title and their first since 1968. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also won the ''Player of the Tournament'' award, given to the best player of the tournament. On 16 July, all members of the European Championship-winning squad were awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Italian Order of Merit of ''Cavaliere''.

In October 2021, Italy participated in the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals, UEFA Nations League Finals as hosts, and lost the semi-final against Spain, 2–1 at the San Siro. This match meant the end of the record 37-game unbeaten run and the first defeat for Italy in more than three years. Four days later, Italy won the third-place play-off, 2–1 against Belgium.

Recent years (2021–present)

Failure to qualify for 2022 World Cup

On 15 November 2021, Italy drew 0–0 with Northern Ireland in their final 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group C, 2022 World Cup qualifying match and finished in second place, two points behind Switzerland. On 24 March 2022, Italy lost 1–0 in the semi-final of the play-offs against North Macedonia national football team, North Macedonia, their first-ever World Cup qualifying home defeat, therefore, failing to qualify for the World Cup for a second consecutive time. On 1 June, Italy took part in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions match, rebranded as the 2022 Finalissima, losing 3–0 against defending 2021 Copa América, Copa América champion Argentina.

On 26 September 2022, Italy qualified for the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals after beating Hungary 2–0 in Budapest. On 15 June 2023, Italy played the semi-final against Spain, losing 2–1. Three days later, Italy won the third-place match 3–2 against the Netherlands. Mancini's stay on Italy's bench ended two months later following his resignation.

Euro 2024 disappointment

Luciano Spalletti was chosen as the new coach, and led the team in the last six games of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Euro 2024 qualifying, managing to achieve direct qualification to the UEFA Euro 2024, European Championship. Italy were eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16 following a 2–0 loss to Switzerland national football team, Switzerland, leading the minister for Sport Andrea Abodi to call the Euro campaign a "failure". In June 2025, after a 3–0 defeat against Norway in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Spalletti was relieved from his duties.

Rivalries

* Brazil–Italy football rivalry, Italy vs. Brazil: matches between the nations are known as the World Derby (Portuguese language, Portuguese: ''Clássico Mundial''). The most successful football nations in the world, they have achieved nine FIFA World Cup, World Cups between one another. Since their first match at the 1938 World Cup, they have played against each other a total of five times in the World Cup, most notably in the 1970 FIFA World Cup final, 1970 World Cup final and the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, 1994 World Cup final in which Brazil won 4–1 and 3–2 on Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalties after a goalless draw respectively.
* France–Italy football rivalry, Italy vs. France: matches between the two nations officially began on 15 May 1910, Italy's first recorded match ending in a 6–2 victory. Notable matches in the World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, European Football Championship include the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, 2006 World Cup final, when the Italians defeated the French 5–3 in the penalty shoot-out, after a 1–1 draw, and the UEFA Euro 2000, 2000 European Championship, won by France with an extra-time golden goal by David Trezeguet.
* Germany–Italy football rivalry, Italy vs. Germany: matches between the two nations have cumulated in five matches in the World Cup, including the " Game of the Century", the 1970 World Cup semifinal between the two countries that Italy won 4–3 in extra time, with five of the seven goals coming in extra time. Italy defeated West Germany 3–1 in the 1982 FIFA World Cup final. Germany has also won three European Championships while Italy has won it twice. The two countries have faced each other four times in the European Championship, with three draws (one German penalty shoot-out victory) and one Italian victory. Germany had never defeated Italy in a major tournament match until their victory in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals, on penalties (though statistically considered a draw), with all Germany's other wins over Italy being in Exhibition game#International football, friendly competitions.
* Italy–Spain football rivalry, Italy vs. Spain: this is a less heated and less heartfelt rivalry for the Italians, especially when compared to those with Germany and France. Matches between Italy and Spain are known as the Mediterranean Derby (Spanish language, Spanish: ''Rivalidad futbolística Italia-España)'', named after the Mediterranean Sea that separates the two nations. Matches between them have been contested since 1920, and although they are not immediate geographical neighbours, their rivalry at international level is enhanced by the strong performances of their representative clubs in UEFA competitions. Since the quarterfinal match between them at UEFA Euro 2008, Euro 2008, the rivalry has renewed, with its most notable match being the UEFA Euro 2012 final, which Spain won 4–0.

Team image

Kits and crest

The first shirt worn by the Italy national team, in its debut against France on 15 May 1910, was white. The choice of colour was due to the fact that a decision about the appearance of the kit had not yet been made, so it was decided not to have a colour, which was why white was chosen. After two games, for a friendly against Hungary in Milan on 6 January 1911, the white shirt was replaced by a blue jersey (specifically Savoy azure)—blue being the border colour of the royal House of Savoy crest used on the flag of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946); the shirt was accompanied by white shorts and black socks (which later became blue). The team later became known as ''gli Azzurri'' (the Blues).

In the 1930s, Italy wore a black kit, ordered by Kingdom of Italy under Fascism (1922–1943), the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini. The black kit debuted on 17 February 1935 in a friendly against France at the Stadio Nazionale PNF in Rome. A blue shirt, white shorts and black socks were worn at the 1936 Summer Olympics, 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin the following year. At the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France, the all-black kit was worn once in the match against France.

After World War II, the fascist regime fell and the 1946 Italian institutional referendum, monarchy was abolished in 1946. The same year saw the birth of the Italian Republic, and the blue-and-white kit was reinstated. The cross of the former Royal House of Savoy was removed from the flag of Italy, and consequently from the national team's badge, now consisting solely of the ''flag of Italy, Tricolore''. For the 1954 FIFA World Cup, the country's name in Italian, ''ITALIA'', was placed above the tricolour shield, and for the 1982 World Cup, ''FIGC'', the abbreviation of the Italian Football Federation, was incorporated into the badge.

In 1983, to celebrate the previous year's World Cup win, three gold Star (football badge), stars replaced ''ITALIA'' above the tricolour, representing their three World Cup victories. In 1984, a round emblem was launched, featuring the three stars, the inscriptions ''ITALIA'' and ''FIGC'', and the tricolour.

The first known kit manufacturer was Adidas in 1974. From 2003 to 2022, the kit was made by Puma SE, Puma. Since the 2000s, an all-blue uniform including blue shorts has occasionally been used, particularity in international tournaments. After Italy's 2006 World Cup victory, a fourth star was added to the tricolour badge. In March 2022, after almost 20 years with Puma, it was announced that Adidas will be Italy's kit manufacturer from 2023 as part of a four-year deal.

Coaching staff

During the earliest days of Italian nation football, it was common for a Technical Commission to be appointed. The Commission took the role that a standard coach would currently play. Ever since 1967, the national team has been controlled only by the coach. For this reason, the coach of the Italy national team is still called ''Technical Commissioner'' (') or ''CT.'' The use of this title has since then expanded into other team sports in Italy.

Roberto Perrone
Cristiano Lupatelli

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last twelve months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

2025

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Norway and Moldova national football team, Moldova on 6 and 9 June 2025, respectively.

:''Information correct as of 9 June 2025, after the match against Moldova.''

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months.

*^INJ Withdrew due to injury
*^PRE Preliminary squad

Previous squads

;FIFA World Cup
* 1934 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1934 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1938 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1938 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1950 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1950 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1954 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1954 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1962 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1962 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1966 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1966 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1970 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1970 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1974 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1974 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1978 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1978 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1982 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1982 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1986 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1986 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1990 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1990 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1994 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1994 FIFA World Cup squad
* 1998 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 1998 FIFA World Cup squad
* 2002 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 2002 FIFA World Cup squad
* 2006 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 2006 FIFA World Cup squad
* 2010 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 2010 FIFA World Cup squad
* 2014 FIFA World Cup squads#Italy, 2014 FIFA World Cup squad

;UEFA European Championship
* UEFA Euro 1968 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 1968 squad
* UEFA Euro 1980 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 1980 squad
* UEFA Euro 1988 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 1988 squad
* UEFA Euro 1996 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 1996 squad
* UEFA Euro 2000 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2000 squad
* UEFA Euro 2004 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2004 squad
* UEFA Euro 2008 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2008 squad
* UEFA Euro 2012 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2012 squad
* UEFA Euro 2016 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2016 squad
* UEFA Euro 2020 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2020 squad
* UEFA Euro 2024 squads#Italy, UEFA Euro 2024 squad

;FIFA Confederations Cup
* 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup squads#Italy, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup squad
* 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squads#Italy, 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad
;UEFA Nations League Finals
* 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals squads#Italy, 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals squad
* 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals squads#Italy, 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals squad
;Finalissima
* 2022 Finalissima#Italy, 2022 Finalissima squad

Individual records

Player records

:

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Captains

List of Captain (sports), captaincy periods of the various captains throughout the years.

* 1910: Francesco Calì
* 1911–1914: Giuseppe Milano
* 1914–1915: Virgilio Fossati
* 1920–1925: Renzo De Vecchi
* 1925–1927: Luigi Cevenini
* 1927–1930: Adolfo Baloncieri
* 1931–1934: Umberto Caligaris
* 1934: Gianpiero Combi
* 1935–1936: Luigi Allemandi
* 1937–1939: Giuseppe Meazza
* 1940–1947: Silvio Piola
* 1947–1949: Valentino Mazzola
* 1949–1950: Riccardo Carapellese
* 1951–1952: Carlo Annovazzi
* 1952–1960: Giampiero Boniperti
* 1961–1962: Lorenzo Buffon
* 1962–1963: Cesare Maldini
* 1963–1966: Sandro Salvadore
* 1966–1977: Giacinto Facchetti
* 1977–1983: Dino Zoff
* 1983–1985: Marco Tardelli
* 1985–1986: Gaetano Scirea
* 1986–1987: Antonio Cabrini
* 1988–1991: Giuseppe Bergomi
* 1991–1994: Franco Baresi
* 1994–2002: Paolo Maldini
* 2002–2010: Fabio Cannavaro
* 2010–2018: Gianluigi Buffon
* 2018–2022: Giorgio Chiellini
* 2022–2023: Leonardo Bonucci
* 2023: Ciro Immobile
* 2024–''present'': Gianluigi Donnarumma

Hat-tricks

Manager records

; Most manager appearances
: Enzo Bearzot: 104

Team records

; Largest victory
: 9–0 vs. United States, 2 August 1948
; Largest defeat
: 1–7 vs. Hungary, 6 April 1924

Competitive record

Champions   Runners-up   Third place   Hosts

FIFA World Cup

:''*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalty shoot-out.''

UEFA European Championship

:''*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalty shoot-out.''

UEFA Nations League

:''*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalty shoot-out.''

FIFA Confederations Cup

:''*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalty shoot-out.''

Central European International Cup

Other tournaments

:''*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via Penalty shoot-out (association football), penalty shoot-out.''

Head-to-head record

As of 9 June 2025, the complete official match record of the Italian national team comprises Italy national football team head-to-head record, 889 matches: 473 wins, 241 draws and 175 losses. During these matches, the team scored 1,551 times and conceded 880 goals. Italy's highest winning margin is nine goals, which was achieved against the United States in 1948 (9–0). Their longest winning streak is 13 wins, and their unbeaten record is 37 consecutive official matches, a world record.

Honours

Major competitions

* FIFA World Cup
** Champions (4): 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
** Runners-up (2): 1970, 1994
** Third place (1): 1990
* UEFA European Championship
** Champions (2): 1968, 2020
** Runners-up (2): 2000, 2012
* UEFA Nations League
** Third place (2): 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, 2020–21, 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, 2022–23
* FIFA Confederations Cup
** Third place (1): 2013
* CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions
** Runners-up (1): 2022
* Football at the Summer Olympics, Olympic Games
** Gold medal (1): 1936
** Bronze medal (1): Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics, 1928

Regional

* Central European International Cup
** Champions (2): 1927–30, 1933–35
** Runners-up (1): 1931–32 Central European International Cup, 1931–32

Friendly

* 1985 Ciudad de México Cup Tournament, Ciudad de México Cup Tournament
** Champions (1): 1985
* Scania 100 Tournament
** Champions (1): 1991

Awards

* FIFA World Rankings#Best Mover of the Year, FIFA Best Mover of the Year: 2006
* Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year: 2007, 2022
* World Soccer (magazine)#Men's World Team of the Year, World Soccer Team of the Year: 2021
* Gazzetta Sports Awards#Worldwide, Gazzetta Sports World Team of the Year: 1982, 2006

Summary

See also

*Italy women's national football team
*Italy national under-21 football team
*Italy national under-20 football team
*Italy national under-19 football team
*Italy national under-17 football team
*Italy national beach soccer team
*Italy national futsal team
*Serie A
*Football in Italy
*Sport in Italy

Notes

References

External links

*

Official National football team page
at Italian Football Federation

Italy
at UEFA

Italy
at FIFA

{{DEFAULTSORT:Italy National Football Team
Italy national football team,
Italy men's national football teams,
European national association football teams
UEFA European Championship–winning countries
FIFA World Cup–winning countries
Laureus World Sports Awards winners
1910 establishments in Italy
National sports teams established in 1910