Italy Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Carlo Ancelotti had been suggested for Italy, but he’ll continue to helm Brazil, while Antonio Conte is breaking away from the competition.

Ancelotti Out of the Running for Italy, Conte Advancing

April 8, 2026 Enrico Passarella Brazil, Italy, Napoli, The Azzurri Leave a comment

Carlo Ancelotti had been suggested as an ideal candidate to take over Italy, but he’ll continue to helm Brazil, while Antonio Conte is breaking away from the competition. The former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager is on the verge of agreeing to a contract extension.

Antonio Conte is one of the leading candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso on the Italy bench, and Napoli don’t want to be unprepared.

Napoli to Go Young if Conte Somehow Leaves for Italy

April 6, 2026 Enrico Passarella Bologna, Genoa, Italian Football, Italy, Napoli, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Serie A 2026-2027 Leave a comment

Antonio Conte is one of the leading candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso on the Italy bench, and Napoli don’t want to be unprepared in case he takes the national team job. President Aurelio De Laurentiis has a shortlist of managers he’s intrigued with.

The purge at the top continues following another Italy World Cup debacle, as Gattuso agreed to a mutual parting of the ways.

Gattuso Departs Italy, Prospective Successors Pile Up

April 3, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italy, Serie A 2026-2027, The Azzurri Leave a comment

The purge at the top continues following another Italy World Cup debacle, as Gianluigi Buffon resigned shortly after federal president Gabriele Gravina, while Gennaro Gattuso agreed to a mutual parting of the ways a day later.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has resigned from his position a few days after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup again.

Long-Serving FIGC President Gravina Finally Steps Down

April 2, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, The Azzurri Leave a comment

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has resigned from his position a few days after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, ending a reign that began in 2018 and saw him re-elected twice. The Italian Football Association will hold its general election on June 22nd.

it’s all doom and gloom again for Italy, which failed again to punch their ticket to the World Cup, falling to Bosnia in the playoffs.

Italy Miss Out on Their Third Consecutive World Cup

April 1, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italy, The Azzurri, World Cup 2026 Leave a comment

Just as it appeared that a modicum of hope had been restored, it’s all doom and gloom again for Italy, which failed again to punch their ticket to the World Cup again, falling to Bosnia in a fateful night in Zenica. The Azzurri jumped to an early lead, but a red-card turned the tide.

Juventus are set for a busy final stretch of the season between the heated UEFA Champions League race and the preparations for the summer.

Italy Player Ratings vs Northern Ireland: Tonali Inspires Azzurri to Crucial Win

March 26, 2026 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Player Ratings, Serie A, World Cup, World Cup 2026 Leave a comment

Italy secured a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland at Atalanta's New Balance Arena. Despite a clear-cut margin, it was far from a straightforward win for the four-time world champions.

Gennaro Gattuso will be Italy’s new coach. The rumor had spread since quite a few days and the announcement will be made soon

Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview: Team News, Lineups & Prediction

March 26, 2026 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, World Cup, World Cup 2026 Leave a comment

Atalanta’s New Balance Stadium sets the stage for a ‘make or break’ 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final tie between Italy and Northern Ireland. The stakes are at an all-time high for the Azzurri, as they bid to return to the most prestigious international competition for the first time since 2014.

Federico Chiesa answered Italy’s call-ups for the World Cup playoffs after two years, but he quickly headed back to Liverpool.

Long-Awaited Chiesa Return to Italy Squad Lasts One Day

March 24, 2026 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italy, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Premier League, Roma, The Azzurri, World Cup 2026 Leave a comment

Federico Chiesa answered Italy’s call-ups for the World Cup playoffs after two years, but he quickly headed back to Liverpool after checking in at the Coverciano training center. The winger is dealing with a lingering injury, and coach Gennaro Gattuso didn’t insist to avoid worse problems.

Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso won’t have the whole pool at his disposal while picking players for the upcoming crucial World Cup play-offs.

Italy Lose Some Pieces Ahead of the World Cup Playoffs

March 19, 2026 Enrico Passarella Italy, World Cup 2026 Leave a comment

Gennaro Gattuso won’t have the whole pool at his disposal while picking players for the upcoming crucial World Cup play-offs, where Italy will face Northern Ireland and eventually Bosnia or Wales if they prevail in the first match. The Azzurri received good news on Sandro Tonali.

Chiesa and Verratti Likely to Make the Next Italy Squad

March 6, 2026 Enrico Passarella Italy, Serie A 2025-2026, World Cup, World Cup 2026

It won’t be long before Gennaro Gattuso issues his call-ups for World Cup playoffs against Northern Ireland and then potentially Wales or Bosnia. The coach has sent his pre-selections to a few players abroad, for instance, Marco Verratti and Federico Chiesa. They are missing since 2023.

Italy avoided some of the toughest competitors but will have to exorcize some demons to return to the World Cup after missing out twice.

Italy Learn Their Opponents in 2026 World Cup Playoffs

November 20, 2025 Enrico Passarella Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri, World Cup

Italy avoided some of the toughest competitors but will have to exorcize some demons to make it back to the World Cup after missing out on the last two editions. They’ll face Northern Ireland in the semi-final and either Wales or Bosnia in the potential deciding game.

Roberto Mancini missed out on all three openings in the recent Serie A carousel and ended his hiatus by heading back to the Middle East.

Mancini Returns to the Bench in the Persian Gulf

November 13, 2025 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Fiorentina, Italy, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, The Azzurri

Roberto Mancini missed out on all three openings in the recent Serie A carousel and ended his hiatus by heading back to the Middle East, but not to Saudi Arabia. He’s been hired by Qatari side Al Sadd. the veteran had his sights set on Juventus, which had two coaching changes.

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