More than a decade without a World Cup goal frames a tense playoff push, where history weighs heavily on a new generation.
Twelve years later… and still counting: Italy’s continued World Cup absence on the line
On June 14, 2014, in Brazil, Mario Balotelli scored what would become Italy’s last goal at a World Cup for the next 12 years. The opponent that day was England. To put the moment into broader context beyond soccer: Novak Djokovic had only six Grand Slam titles and had never won Roland Garros. Today, with 24, the Serbian is the most decorated player in the sport’s history. Back then, no one was sharing the moment on Instagram Stories – the feature didn’t exist – and TikTok likely wasn’t even on the radar of Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Yiming.
Italy takes on Northern Ireland in a must-win World Cup qualifier. No room for mistakes. No second chances.
— Hardcore Italians (@HardcoreItalian) March 25, 2026
⏰ Tomorrow 3:45 PM ET
📺 Watch live on UEFA broadcast partners or check your local listings
Who’s stepping up for the Azzurri? ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Qw3RLlZxPf
Italy did not travel to Russia in 2018. That year, France won its second World Cup against a remarkable Croatia, but Gian Piero Ventura’s team watched from home after losing the playoff to Sweden, undone by a first-leg goal they could not overturn at San Siro. In 2022, history repeated itself, though the cast had changed: Roberto Mancini was in charge and Italy had just won the European Championship, but a 93rd-minute strike from Aleksandar Trajkovski silenced Palermo’s Stadio Barbera and sent North Macedonia to the World Cup in Qatar, later won by Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Another round, another race. The burden now falls on coach Gennaro Gattuso. He has chosen Bergamo as the stage for the playoff semifinal against Northern Ireland – the first step toward a potential final against Wales or Bosnia, with a place at the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States at stake next summer. Gattuso must deliver within nine months of taking the job, as if this were a true birth.
The federation’s decision to entrust him with the role came in June 2025, following Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal. His debut, a commanding 5–0 win over Estonia in Bergamo, prompted Gattuso to embrace superstition and positive energy – nothing can be left to chance. The fans responded instantly: when 23,000 playoff tickets went on sale in mid-February, they sold out in just 90 minutes.
How many children will be in the stands? We’ll find out tonight. But if there are teenagers, many will have grown up with no memory of Italy’s past dominance, having never witnessed any of the country’s four World Cup triumphs, the most recent in 2006.
“I can’t see myself out of the World Cup again”
— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) March 26, 2026
Riccardo Calafiori speaks on what is a crucial day for Italy. pic.twitter.com/dKOqa3lBK5
The weight of history is growing heavier. Sustaining tradition year after year is becoming a genuine burden. In recent months, Gattuso has tried to manage it first on the field – five wins in six games – and then off it, visiting clubs where Italian players compete, sharing long dinners filled with stories. Alongside delegation chief and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, he has worked to awaken awareness and reconnect the squad with the full history of the Azzurra.
Much has changed since Italy’s last World Cup appearance, but one thing remains as powerful as ever: the national anthem, “Fratelli d’Italia.” One line, in particular, will resonate more than ever: “We are ready to die, Italy has called us.”
Without the attacking presence of Gianluca Scamacca, and with Matteo Politano and Alessandro Bastoni still dealing with physical issues, Gattuso is expected to stick with a 3-5-2 system featuring two central strikers – a setup that has worked well in recent games. Michael O’Neill, meanwhile, will be without the injured Conor Bradley for Northern Ireland, but will look to experienced players like Trai Hume and Shea Donley to provide the main attacking threat.
Italy vs Northern Ireland: projected lineups
Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori; Matteo Politano, Nicolò Barella, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Federico Dimarco; Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui. Head coach: Gennaro Gattuso
Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (or Hazard); Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal (McConville), Daniel Ballard (Brown); Trai Hume, Shea Charles (Lyons), Alistair McCann (McDonnell), Ethan Galbraith, Jamal Lewis; Dale Taylor (Price), Shea Donley. Head coach: Michael O’Neill
- Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
- Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
- Kickoff: 2:45 p.m. ET
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