2026 World Cup: How Did Italy’s Last Two Qualifying Campaigns Begin?

After a disastrous start, Italy’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finally kicked into gear during the international break, with Gennaro Gattuso managing to stamp his authority over his newly inherited side.

Things couldn’t have got off to a worse possible beginning, though, when the Italians were thumped 3-0 by Norway in Oslo, a result that cost former manager Luciano Spalletti his job. But now, business has finally picked up.

In his first game in charge, Gattuso managed to mastermind a 5-0 drubbing of Estonia, with the Azzurri shedding their low-scoring skin at halftime to net five unanswered second-half goals. Then, Italy continued in their newfound high-scoring ways, winning a 5-4 thriller against Israel thanks to Sandro Tonali’s last-gasp goal. Now, the four-time world champions are back in contention, and the excitement of an epic comeback is beginning to build in Bel Paese.

Excitement Ahead of the World Cup

But it isn’t just in Southern Europe where anticipation ahead of next summer’s North American spectacle is reaching a fever pitch. On the other side of the planet, Australians are also raring to go. Not only have the Socceroos already punched their tickets to the FIFA World Cup after finishing as runners-up to Japan in their qualifying group, but now their esteemed online casinos are rolling out some epic football-themed slot games in a bid to get Aussies in the mood for next June and July.

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But, while IgnitionCasino’s digital experiences are capturing the attention of the virtual sports world, real-world drama is unfolding on the pitch. For Italy, their bid to end a 12-year World Cup qualifying drought is alive and well, but how did their last two ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaigns begin in comparison to this year’s? Let’s find out.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Perfect Start Falls Apart

This year, Italy is playing catch-up. Eight years ago, in qualifying for Russia 2018, that wasn’t the case. Gian Piero Ventura made the perfect start to that campaign, with the goals of Ciro Immobile powering the Azzurri to victory on the road against Israel in their opener.

Italy would back that up with a draw against heavyweights Spain in Turin, thanks to a late equalizer from Daniele De Rossi, and further positive results would follow. Immobile struck a 92nd-minute winner on the road against North Macedonia, as well as goals in the victories against Liechtenstein (twice) and Albania. However, in the return game against Spain, the wheels came off the qualifying campaign.

La Roja ran out 3-0 victors when they welcomed Italy to the Bernabeu, putting them in pole position. Italy then dropped further points in their home game against North Macedonia, officially consigning them to the playoffs. We all remember how that ended, with Sweden triumphing across two legs and ensuring that the Italians missed the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

epa09847646 Italy’s forward Domenico Berardi in action against North Macedonia’s defender Ezgjan Alioski during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off qualifying soccer match between Italy and North Macedonia at the Renzo Barbera stadium in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, 24 March 2022. EPA-EFE/CARMELO IMBESI

Early Draws Hurt Italian Hopes

Despite missing the 2018 World Cup, Roberto Mancini managed to shockingly lead Italy to European Championship glory in the summer of 2021, with his side famously beating hosts England at Wembley on penalties. As such, they headed into the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a chip on their shoulder. However, a series of draws early on would hinder their hopes of direct qualification.

Italy beat Northern Ireland in their opener in Parma, with Immobile on song once more. Back-to-back 2-0 away victories at Bulgaria and Lithuania then put the Azzurri in pole position. But following those triumphs, back-to-back slip-ups cost Mancini’s men dearly. His side was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Bulgaria in Florence, before a goalless draw against Switzerland opened the door for the hosts to seize top spot.

Another draw between those two sides, this time a 1-1 finish in Rome, meant that qualification would be decided in the final qualifier. Italy headed to Northern Ireland knowing that a win would be enough. Instead, they drew 0-0, meaning that Switzerland’s 4-0 victory at home to Bulgaria was enough to secure their spot in Qatar.

For the second straight qualifying campaign, Italy would head to the playoffs. This time, they were stunned by North Macedonia, with Aleksandar Trajkovski’s last-minute winner allowing them to progress and ensuring the Azzurri’s wait to feature on the grandest stage that the beautiful game has to offer would extend beyond a decade.