Italy Flops Again, But Three Azzurri Gaffers Sneak Into 2026 World Cup Party

Picture this: Italy, the four-time world champs, staring at another World Cup absence. Yet, while Gennaro Gattuso and the Azzurri bottled it spectacularly, three of their former stars are packing their bags for the 2026 showpiece – just not in sky blue.

It's like that mate who bombs his driving test but teaches everyone else to parallel park. As reported by Peter Young at Football Italia, the drama unfolded on Tuesday night when Bosnia and Herzegovina knocked out a 10-man Italy on penalties in Zenica. Third play-off failure in a row. Ouch.

Gattuso's Nightmare in Zenica

Gattuso, the grizzled midfield warrior turned gaffer, couldn't rally his troops. Down to 10 after a red card, Italy crumbled in the shootout. Bosnia's fans went wild, while Italian dreams turned to dust.

This marks the Azzurri's third straight World Cup cycle without a ticket. Remember 2018? 2022? Now 2026 joins the club. Spalletti's successor – whoever that is – has some explaining to do. But hey, at least the pasta won't go to waste back home.

Italian Coaches Conquering the World

Enter the unsung heroes: Italy's coaching exports. Only Argentina (6), France (6), and Spain (4) will boast more gaffers at the expanded 48-team tournament than Italy's trio.

First up, Carlo Ancelotti, the evergreen Real Madrid maestro, who's swapped the Bernabeu for the beaches of Brazil. Presented in Rio last May, Don Carlo guided the Seleção through qualifiers. At 65, he's got more lives than a cat – and Brazil's attack might just purr under him.

Then there's Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 Ballon d'Or winner, who's turned Uzbekistan into Asian powerhouse contenders. Snapping up a play-off win, Canna's defensive nous has the White Wolves howling for more.

And don't forget Vincenzo Montella, the Aeroplane, who flew Turkey past Kosovo in their play-off thriller – same night as Italy's woes. From Dortmund's Euros touchline to World Cup glory, Montella's got that flair.

These lads, all ex-Azzurri players, prove Italian tactical brains are in demand worldwide. Gattuso who?

A Global Gaffer Mosaic

The 2026 World Cup in North America will feature bosses from 25 nations. Germany and Italy tie with three each, while England, Netherlands, and others chip in with two.

Plenty of homegrown talent too: Croatia, Norway (hello, Haaland's gaffer), Czechia, Scotland, Switzerland, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Mexico stick with natives.

Fun outliers? South Africa with Belgian Hugo Broos, and Canada banking on American Jesse Marsch. No shortage of variety – it's like a coaching United Nations.

For Italy, it's bittersweet. No Nazionale on the pitch, but expect Ancelotti, Cannavaro, and Montella to bring some pasta passion to the touchline. Who knows, one of them might lift the trophy – and rub it in back home. Chin up, lads; at least your exports are world-beaters.