Materazzi Warns Italy Still Unprepared for 2026 World Cup

Italy’s exclusion from the 2026 World Cup marks a third consecutive tournament missed despite the competition’s expansion to 48 teams and three extra spots for Europe. The Azzurri failed to secure one of those additional qualification places, leaving fans with another summer without national‑team football. The disappointment is highlighted by a striking image of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s dejection after the play‑off loss in Zenica.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marco Materazzi downplayed complaints that the new World Cup format favors South American, African and Asian nations. He argued that Italy would still have struggled against a side like Cape Verde, which pushed defending champions Argentina into extra time in the round of 32.

Why Cape Verde Could Have Thrown Italy Off Balance

Materazzi turned the discussion around, asking how much Argentina battled against Cape Verde and whether Italy would have performed any better in that scenario. He pointed out that Cape Verde entered matches not merely to defend but to attack with clear ideas and quality. Their desire to upset the odds mirrored Italy’s own shock victory over Germany in 2006, a lesson the Germans learned the hard way.

The Italian veteran believes that Cape Verde’s style makes them a genuine threat to traditionally strong European teams. Their approach forces opponents to confront a team that plays with purpose and tactical clarity. This mindset could have made the Azzurri’s path far more difficult than expected.

Italy’s Long Slide Since the 2006 Triumph

Since lifting the World Cup in 2006, Materazzi says Italy has done “too little more than anything else,” allowing the game to pass them by. He stresses that the decline isn’t limited to players and coaches but runs deeper through the whole system. The former defender admits that facing the reality of Italy’s current state still saddens him.

The lack of progress has left Italy playing a supporting role on the global stage instead of competing for titles. Each missed chance to qualify reinforces the feeling that the nation has stalled since its last major triumph. Looking forward, Materazzi’s warning is clear: without a significant shift, the Azzurri may continue to struggle against the growing competitive field at future World Cups.