Luciano Spalletti’s job as head coach of the Italy national team is under an increased level of scrutiny following a disastrous 3-0 loss away against Norway in the first match of the 2026 World Cup

Four-time FIFA World Cup winners Italy have failed to qualify for each of the last two editions of the tournament, while they have now lost successive qualifiers for the first time in their history

The Norwegians flattened the Italians 3-0 in Oslo to move closer to ending their near-three-decade wait for a return to the World Cup.

Italy were dealt a 3-0 blow by Norway at the beginning of their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on Friday night, which has already brought a genuine risk of missing out on direct qualification

Today, the Azzurra returns to action against a rival that will be anything but easy: Erling Haaland’s Norway. Due to the Nations League action, Spalletti’s team has not yet been able to make their debut, but two matchdays have already been played. In other words, it’s time to bounce back.