Insigne Still Scarred by Italy's World Cup Misses – But Eyes Play-Off Redemption

Picture this: Lorenzo Insigne, the pint-sized wizard who's lit up pitches from Naples to Toronto, still wakes up in a cold sweat thinking about Italy's qualification cock-ups in 2018 and 2022. Yeah, those gut-wrenching play-off losses to Sweden and North Macedonia that left the Azzurri fans reaching for the grappa. But now, captain of struggling Pescara in Serie B, he's cracking jokes about hanging up his boots if he drags them to safety and sneaks into the 2026 World Cup squad.

"Those defeats left a proper mark on me," Insigne spilled to Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by Lorenzo Bettoni at Football Italia. He sat on the bench for the Sweden debacle but was right in the thick of it against North Macedonia at Palermo's Renzo Barbera – you know, that night Alessandro Bastoni and Joao Pedro looked like they'd lost their best mate. "You can't dwell on the past, though. This time, we've got to nail it."

Bonded with Boss Gattuso, Ready for Azzurri Call-Up

Insigne's not short of pull in the Italy setup either. He's got a bromance with head coach Gennaro Gattuso, forged during their Napoli days. "We chat almost daily," the winger grinned. "I never said I'm done with the national team. Rino knows what I bring – availability and all."

And here's the cheeky bit: if Pescara dodge the drop and Insigne bags a World Cup spot? "I'll retire!" he laughed. Joking aside, with Gattuso announcing his squad any day now for the crunch play-offs, Insigne's keeping his phone close. Toronto was 'fantastic' off the pitch, he added, but Pescara came calling at the perfect time – Marco Verratti who?

Gattuso's Youth Injection: Five Lads Who Could Shine in Play-Offs

As per Peter Young at Football Italia, Gattuso's got less than a week to name his squad for the 2026 World Cup play-offs. Italy face Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26 – a one-legged semi – with the winners off to tackle Wales or Bosnia on the 31st. Miss out, and it's a third straight World Cup absence since their 2006 glory. Ouch.

No pressure, then. But here's five young guns, as tipped by the insiders, who could gatecrash the party:

Marco Palestra (21, Cagliari on loan from Atalanta)

This right-back's been everywhere for Cagliari – 27 straight Serie A starts, barely subbed off. Perfect for Gattuso's wing-back role or even a back four. Italy's crying out for options there.

Michael Kayode (21, Brentford)

Premier League beast helping Brentford eye Europe from 7th. His long throws are causing merry hell – pair that with a target man like Francesco Pio Esposito, and defences will crumble.

Davide Bartesaghi (AC Milan)

Left wing-back who's edged out Pervis Estupinan at the San Siro. With Federico Dimarco the fave and Destiny Udogie nursing a hamstring, Bartesaghi's knocking on the door. Milan's form boy.

The list doesn't stop – think more firepower to banish those ghosts. Italy haven't won a World Cup knock-out since '06, and group stage since '14. Gattuso's mixing youth with nous, but the stakes? Sky-high.

Insigne's right: no looking back. Grab those play-off wins, lads, or it'll be another summer of 'what ifs'. Forza Italia – make the pub proud.