DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Luciano Spalletti, head coach of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
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 to the final tournament.
First-half strikes from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland dealt an injury-hit Azzurri side a 3-0 humbling to kick off their World Cup qualification campaign.
As Italy have played fewer matches than anyone else in Group I of the UEFA World Cup qualifying groups, there is already a nine-point deficit between the Azzurri and the top of the group table.
Two alarming stats after Norway 3-0 Italy
This is now the first time in history that Italy have lost two consecutive World Cup qualifying matches.
The latest Italy World Cup qualifier before Friday night was the infamous 1-0 loss to North Macedonia in the play-off stages of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, which prevented Roberto Mancini’s side from featuring in the final tournament.
In fact, the Nazionale have now not won in four World Cup qualifying matches, with the 3-0 loss to Norway, the 1-0 loss to North Macedonia, a 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland in 2021 and a 1-1 draw with Switzerland a few days before.
Alarmingly for the national team, the 3-0 loss against Norway was also the first time that Italy have failed to score in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers, including the 1-0 loss to North Macedonia and the 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland.
CT Luciano Spalletti and his players will look to make amends when they host Moldova at the Mapei Stadium in their second 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Monday night.
1 – Italy have lost two World Cup qualifiers matches in a row for the first time in their history. In addition, the Azzurri have failed to score in three consecutive games of this type for the first time ever. Debacle.#FIFAWorldCup
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 6, 2025
