Italy’s World Cup dreams are on the line as they face a daunting playoff scenario after a 4-1 loss to Norway, leaving fans questioning the team’s future.

Italy is reeling after a 4-1 defeat to Norway, which ended their chances of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Azzurri’s struggles are a far cry from their glory days, and fans are growing increasingly frustrated.

The loss means Italy will have to feature in the playoffs to secure a spot in the World Cup, a daunting task considering their past failures. The team has missed the past two World Cups, and the pressure is mounting.

Gennaro Gattuso’s appointment as coach was seen as a fresh start, but the results haven’t been promising. Italy’s lack of world-class players is a concern, with the exception of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who’s been a bright spot.

Fans are questioning the team’s culture and motivation, feeling that players aren’t pushing themselves to succeed. The atmosphere is tense, with some fans suggesting Italy’s rivals are better at spotting and nurturing talent.

“It’s also about players’ culture,” said journalist Andrea Saronni. “In other countries, being a national team standout still means something, but for our players, it appears no longer a motivation to raise their game.”

Italy has a history of heartbreak in the World Cup qualifiers, and this latest setback is a tough pill to swallow. The team will need to regroup and refocus if they want to make it to the World Cup.

The World Cup is just around the corner, and Italy’s absence would be a massive disappointment. The Azzurri have always been a proud team, and they’ll be determined to bounce back from this setback by pushing through the playoffs and fighting for a last-gasp World Cup ticket.