Scaloni defended the identity culture of the Italian National Team after their absence from the 2026 World Cup

On the eve of the clash between the Argentine National Team and Cape Verde in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni addressed the football crisis that Italy is experiencing, having failed to qualify for the competition.

The prestigious Argentine coach analyzed the current state of the “Azzurra” and pointed to the loss of identity as one of the central factors of its decline.

Italy, one of the historical powers of world football, failed to qualify for the tournament, deepening a negative streak that has been dragging on for several years.

“I don't have the exact reason, but I wouldn't overthink it. Italy has an incredible football culture; they must continue to respect that. Every country has its culture, and that has made them world powers. When they play in ways that the player doesn't feel and the people don't feel, it becomes complicated,” Scaloni expressed when asked about the topic.

The coach, who had a stint in Italian football with Lazio and Atalanta, showed closeness to the reality of the European country and defended the need to return to the roots. In this sense, he questioned modern trends that standardize playing styles.

“Football has changed so much; it seems that you can only play in one way. We appreciate Italy; in Argentina, we all have Italian roots; I hope they return. If they realize they are very good, they will be back,” he added.

The statements were made at a press conference held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where a relaxed moment also occurred when former striker Germán Denis, now a journalist, took the floor. Upon recognizing his voice, Scaloni recalled their shared time at Atalanta during the 2014-2015 season.

“This guy took me in at his house; he fed me there in Bergamo,” the coach joked, to which Denis replied: “Yes, he stayed a month at my house.”

The absence of Italy in the 2026 World Cup is not an isolated event but the continuation of a negative process that has deepened in recent years.

After being crowned champions in Germany 2006, the Italian team suffered early eliminations in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, and then went on to have three consecutive absences in the World Cups: Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and North America 2026.