Italy

The Door To Qatar: Which Continent Has The Most Difficult World Cup Qualifying Process?

"Absurd" was the word Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci used to describe the UEFA World Cup qualifying process after his team fell to North Macedonia in a single-leg playoff last week. 

"You have to play a single game in which anything can happen as we have seen," the veteran center back said. "There are teams that qualified after losing four or five games; we are at home after losing only one in the 92nd minute. It is truly madness."

Here’s How The USMNT Ended Up In Its World Cup Pot For The Draw

Editor’s Note: This story on what pot is USMNT in for World Cup 2022 draw has been updated on March 31 to reflect the latest data.

Heading into the final week of World Cup qualifying before the all-important World Cup draw, the USMNT had a chance to play its way into the coveted Pot 1. Because of its results — and others around the world — the U.S. will not be in Pot 1. But the Americans did just enough to qualify for the World Cup, and now they can look forward to being placed in Pot 2 for the World Cup draw on Friday, April 1. 

After Summer Of 'Most Beautiful Joy,' Italy Experiences 'The Greatest Disappointment'

Italy broke English hearts last July as they won the European Championship final but after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second straight tournament they have left fans thinking their Wembley triumph was a flash in the pan.

For a country who have won the World Cup four times, Italy's recent record is a national embarrassment.

Since lifting their fourth World Cup trophy in 2006, they have not played a knockout game in the showpiece event, having only won one group stage match at the finals in that time. Their recent World Cup record is even more distressing.

Italia Es Un Mar De Lágrimas: Macedonia Del Norte Dejó A La Azzurra Fuera Del Mundial

Sorpresa e incredulidad son los sentimientos que mejor resumen lo vivido hoy en el Estadio Renzo Barbera. Porque Italia, actual campeón europeo, cayó inesperada y agónicamente ante Macedonia del Norte y con ello se perderá su segundo mundial consecutivo.

North Macedonia Just Pulled Off The Greatest Upset In Soccer History To Deny Italy From World Cup

North Macedonia pulled off one the biggest upsets in sporting history on Thursday when the minnows took on European champions Italy in a World Cup playoff and somehow pulled off a 1-0 victory in Palermo.

This game could've been played 100 times and Italy wins 99 times.

But I watched this game from start to finish and I must say the North Macedonia win was absolutely deserved. I don’t know if I've ever seen a more valiant display of defending in my life. Italy recorded 32 shots but only five ended up on target. 

7 Days, 12 Can't-Miss World Cup Qualifiers: Your Complete Guide To The Madness

The final major international window before the World Cup begins Monday and lasts through early next week with crucial matches being contested across UEFA, CONMEBOL, Concacaf, CAF, AFC and OFC. We'll know 29 of the 32 competing nations in Qatar after this period, with only the inter-confederation playoffs (two spots) and a delayed European playoff final (one spot) to go. 

Italian Federation Asks To Postpone Serie A Games Ahead Of Italy's Do-Or-Die World Cup Playoff

ROME - The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has requested the postponement of a round of Serie A fixtures to help the Italy national team in its preparations for the FIFA World Cup playoffs, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said on Monday.

European champions Italy risk failing to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup after finishing behind Switzerland in their qualifying group, and they face North Macedonia in a playoff in Palermo on March 24.

Mario Balotelli Returns To Italy National Team Ahead Of Vital World Cup Qualifiers

ROME — Mario Balotelli was named in the Italy squad for the first time since 2018 on Monday, as the Adana Demirspor striker joined seven uncapped players in Roberto Mancini's 35-man training camp selection.

Balotelli, who worked under Azzurri coach Mancini earlier in his career at Inter Milan and Manchester City, has not featured for the national team since September 2018.

But the 31-year-old earned a recall for this week's three-day training camp after scoring eight goals in 18 league games to fire Adana Demirspor to fourth place in the Turkish Super Lig.

2021’s Most Successful Coach Snubbed From FIFA Best Finalists; We’re Not At All Surprised

There was but one major global international soccer tournament in 2021. For some reason, the coach who inspired an underdog victory in that competition wasn’t deemed worthy by FIFA to even be a finalist for the organization’s FIFA Best Coach of 2021 award. Not that we’re the least bit surprised; we’ve long learned to expect the worst from FIFA.

Lorenzo Insigne Is About To Become The 11th Highest Paid Team In MLS

Back on Dec. 28, news broke that Napoli captain and Italian international Lorenzo Insigne was seriously considering joining Toronto FC in the summer following the completion of the 2021-22 European season. The rumor had a lot of clout, especially the bit about Toronto making him Major League Soccer's highest-ever paid player.

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