Italy’s national football team is facing significant challenges following a 3-0 loss to Norway in their first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The defeat, characterized by goals from Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa, along with a third from Erling Haaland, leaves Italy in a precarious position, currently sitting fourth in Group I. This ranking is compounded by the fact that they have played two fewer matches than their rivals, primarily due to their recent participation in the Nations League.
Manager Luciano Spalletti acknowledged the current difficulties his team is experiencing, emphasizing the need for improvement. He stated, “We cannot give advantages to the opponents by gifting the ball,” highlighting a crucial area for development as the team looks to bounce back. Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed his disappointment, affirming that the performance was unacceptable and called for introspection within the squad.
Looking ahead, Italy’s next match is against Moldova, who currently sit at the bottom of the group without any points. This presents an opportunity for Italy to potentially right the ship and regain momentum in their qualifying campaign. Spalletti remains committed to his chosen squad and recognizes the urgent need to address the issues at hand, viewing this challenging moment as a necessary point for growth.
The outlook for Italy hinges on their ability to adapt and improve as they prepare for upcoming matches, hopefully turning their fortunes around in the following fixtures.