A second successive FIFA World Cup out of the fray undoubtedly hit Italy hard. The Azzurri crashed out of the UEFA Path C semi-finals play-offs stage in March this year to a solitary goal by Aleksandar Trajkovski. Coach Roberto Mancini believes Italy’s fate will change sooner or later, as he expects his nation to qualify for the next showdown event in 2026 and take revenge.
The veteran Italian tactician had some interesting comments to make in an exclusive interview to Corriere della Sera (via Tuttomercatoweb).
“I don’t believe in curses. Sooner or later it will change. We want to go to the next one, in four years and maybe win it. I stayed because I want to take revenge. The 2026 World Cup is too far away. Think of the Nations League finals that should not be underestimated and the qualifications for the 2024 European Championship in which we want to defend the title well”.
Italy are the joint-second most successful nation in the grand stage, with four titles to their name alongside Germany. They have conquered the world stage in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Mancini and his Azzurri will look to make it in four years time and win a fifth title, matching Brazil’s record.
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