The pressure is mounting on Italy boss Luciano Spalletti after the Azzurri suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup UEFA qualifying campaign. With fans already furious over recent performances, failure to beat lowly Moldova in the second round could seal Spalletti’s fate.
The four-time world champions, currently ranked 9th by FIFA, were completely outplayed by a Norwegian side ranked 38th. The result extended Italy’s winless streak in World Cup qualifiers to four games, and in all competitions, they haven’t tasted victory in their last four either.
A Nation’s Hopes in Doubt
After missing out on both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals, Italian fans had high hopes that the road to the 2026 tournament in North America would be different. But the disastrous start has sparked fears of another early exit.
Italy now trails group leaders Norway by six points, who have already played three games and won them all. Unless the Azzurri finish top of Group I, they’ll be forced to go through the dreaded playoffs again, a route that proved fatal last time around.
Facing the media after the defeat, Spalletti didn’t hide his concerns:
“Of course, there’s worry. After a loss like this, you have to reflect, look at the problems head-on and try to fix them, because there’s no other choice,” he admitted.
A Must-Win Against Moldova
Italy’s next opponent, Moldova, currently ranks 154th in the world and has never beaten the Azzurri in five previous meetings. Italy won all five of those matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three. On paper, it should be a straightforward win. But given the current mood, anything short of three points will likely spark outrage and possibly lead to Spalletti’s immediate dismissal.
Beyond results, Italy’s deeper concerns lie in their ageing squad, a lack of young talent breaking through, and key players struggling with form. Even if they scrape into the playoffs, few are confident they could survive against Europe’s rapidly improving mid-tier nations.
Reports in Italy suggest the federation is already considering alternatives, with Stefano Pioli, Claudio Ranieri, and Daniele De Rossi emerging as potential replacements.
Belgium vs Wales: Red Devils Eye First Win
Over in Group J, Belgium will be desperate to get their first win of the campaign when they host group leaders Wales in the second round of matches.
The Red Devils opened their qualifying journey with a disappointing 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. It’s been a mixed year so far for Belgium, with just one win, one draw, and one loss from their last three matches. Worryingly, they’ve also lost two of their previous three home games.
Wales, by contrast, are unbeaten after three matches, winning two and drawing one, and have gone four away matches without defeat. While Belgium still boast the superior squad on paper, their inconsistency means this clash is anything but predictable.
Croatia and the Czech Republic Set for Top-of-Table Clash
Group L will feature a heavyweight showdown as Croatia hosts the Czech Republic in a match that could determine who takes control of the group.
Croatia were dominant in their opener, thrashing Gibraltar 7-0. The Vatreni have looked strong on home soil, unbeaten in their last eight home matches (6 wins, 2 draws), including recent results against France and Portugal.
The Czech Republic are riding high after three straight wins to start their campaign, but they’ve yet to face a severe test. Their recent away form is also concerning. Before their win over Gibraltar, they had gone nine away games without a victory.
As the second round of UEFA qualifiers kicks off, major storylines are already taking shape. Italy are facing an existential crisis, Belgium need to shake off inconsistency, and Croatia and the Czech Republic are locked in a battle for supremacy. For fans across Europe, the journey to North America is proving to be as dramatic as ever.
