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Italy national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Italy women's national football team.
"Gli Azzurri" redirects here. For other uses, see Azzurri.
Quick facts for kids
Italy
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Gli Azzurri (The Blues)
Association Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Gennaro Gattuso
Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma
Most caps Gianluigi Buffon (176)
Top scorer Gigi Riva (35)
Home stadium Various
FIFA code ITA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 18 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 1 (November 1993, February 2007, April–June 2007, September 2007)
Lowest 21 (June 2018)
First international
 Italy 6–2 France 
(Milan, Italy; 15 May 1910)
Biggest win
 Italy 9–0 United States 
(Brentford, England; 2 August 1948)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 7–1 Italy 
(Budapest, Hungary; 6 April 1924)
World Cup
Appearances 18 (first in 1934)
Best result Champions (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
European Championship
Appearances 11 (first in 1968)
Best result Champions (1968, 2020)
Nations League Finals
Appearances 2 (first in 2021)
Best result Third place (2021, 2023)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances 1 (first in 2022)
Best result Runners-up (2022)
Confederations Cup
Appearances 2 (first in 2009)
Best result Third place (2013)
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold 1936 Berlin Team
Bronze 1928 Amsterdam Team
FIFA World Cup
Gold 1934 Italy Team
Gold 1938 France Team
Gold 1982 Spain Team
Gold 2006 Germany Team
Silver 1970 Mexico Team
Silver 1994 United States Team
Bronze 1990 Italy Team
UEFA European Championship
Gold 1968 Italy Team
Gold 2020 Europe Team
Silver 2000 Netherlands & Belgium Team
Silver 2012 Poland & Ukraine Team
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Silver 2022 England Team
UEFA Nations League
Bronze 2021 Italy Team
Bronze 2023 Netherlands Team
FIFA Confederations Cup
Bronze 2013 Brazil Team

The Italy national football team represents Italy in men's international football games. It has been playing since 1910. The team is managed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), which is part of UEFA. Italy plays its home matches in different stadiums across the country. Their main training center is in Florence.

Italy is one of the most successful teams in the world. They have won the World Cup four times: in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. They also reached the final two other times. Italy has won the European Championship twice, in 1968 and 2020. They were also runners-up in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022.

The team is often called gli Azzurri, which means "the Blues". This is because Savoy blue is the traditional color of Italy's national sports teams. It comes from the royal House of Savoy, which used to rule the Kingdom of Italy. In 1938, Italy became the first team to win two World Cups in a row. They held the title for 12 more years because of World War II. Italy also won two Central European International Cups and the Olympic football tournament in 1936.

After a sad plane crash in 1949, many players from the team were lost. This led to some tough years in the 1950s, and Italy even failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. They also did not qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. However, the team had an amazing unbeaten run from October 2018 to October 2021, playing 37 matches without a loss. This is a world record! Italy has strong rivalries with teams like Brazil, France, Germany, and Spain.

Team History and Achievements

Early Days and First World Cup Wins

Italy celebrating 1934
The squad celebrating its first FIFA World Cup in 1934

Italy's first official football match was on May 15, 1910, in Milan. They beat France 6–2. Pietro Lana scored Italy's first goal. The team wore white jerseys at first, but soon switched to their famous blue.

Their first big success was a bronze medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics. They also won the Central European International Cup twice, in 1927–30 and 1933–35. In 1936, Italy won the gold medal at the Olympic Games.

Italy did not play in the first World Cup in 1930. But they won the next two World Cups in a row! They won in 1934 and 1938. Coach Vittorio Pozzo led the team, with star player Giuseppe Meazza. In 1934, Italy hosted the World Cup and beat Czechoslovakia 2–1 in the final. In 1938, they beat Hungary 4–2 to win their second title.

Rebuilding and European Glory

Italy Team - Rome, 1965
The Italy national team in 1965

In 1949, a tragic plane crash killed many players from the Torino club, who were also part of the national team. This greatly weakened the team. Italy struggled in the 1950s and did not qualify for the 1958 World Cup.

In 1968, Italy hosted the European Championship and won it! They beat Yugoslavia in the final after a replay. This was their first major trophy since 1938.

Two years later, at the 1970 World Cup, Italy reached the final again. They played an amazing semi-final against West Germany, winning 4–3 in extra time. This game is known as the "Game of the Century". However, they lost the final to Brazil 4–1.

Third World Cup Victory (1982)

Italia82
Italy's starting line-up, before the match against Argentina in a group stage game at the 1982 FIFA World Cup

Under coach Enzo Bearzot, a new generation of players emerged in the late 1970s. At the 1978 World Cup, Italy finished fourth. They hosted the 1980 European Championship and finished fourth again.

In the 1982 World Cup, Italy started slowly with three draws. But then they surprised everyone! They beat strong teams like Argentina and Brazil in thrilling matches. Paolo Rossi scored three goals against Brazil in a famous game.

In the final, Italy faced West Germany. They won 3–1 with goals from Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, and Alessandro Altobelli. Tardelli's joyful celebration after his goal is still remembered today. Paolo Rossi won the Golden Boot for being the top scorer and the Golden Ball for being the best player. Their captain, 40-year-old goalkeeper Dino Zoff, became the oldest player to win the World Cup.

Ups and Downs (1986–2018)

Italy hosted the World Cup again in 1990. They played well, not letting in a single goal in their first five matches. But they lost in the semi-finals to Argentina on penalty kicks. They finished third after beating England.

At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Italy reached the final again, led by star player Roberto Baggio. They played 120 minutes of scoreless football against Brazil. The game went to a penalty shootout, which Italy lost 3–2. Baggio missed the final penalty.

Italy reached the final of Euro 2000, but lost to France with a "golden goal" in extra time. In the 2002 World Cup, Italy was eliminated in a controversial match against co-hosts South Korea. Many Italian players and the coach felt the referee's decisions were unfair.

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 for the first time since 1958. This was a big disappointment for the team and its fans.

Return to Glory: European Champions (2018–2021)

Sergio Mattarella meets Italy national football team and Matteo Berrettini (12 July 2021) 24
President of Italy Sergio Mattarella (right) congratulates captain Chiellini in Rome, the day after Italy's triumph at UEFA Euro 2020.

After a tough period, Roberto Mancini became the new manager in 2018. Italy started to play much better. They had a perfect record in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, winning all ten matches.

At the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, Italy played brilliantly. They won all their group games without letting in any goals. They beat Austria and Belgium in the knockout stages. In the semi-finals, they defeated Spain on penalties.

On July 11, 2021, Italy won the European Championship! They beat hosts England at Wembley Stadium in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw. This was their second European title, and their first since 1968. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the best player of the tournament.

In October 2021, Italy's amazing 37-game unbeaten run ended when they lost to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. They finished third in that tournament.

Recent Challenges (2021–Present)

Despite their Euro 2020 success, Italy faced another setback. On March 24, 2022, they lost to North Macedonia in a play-off match, meaning they did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup. This was the second World Cup in a row they missed.

In June 2022, Italy played in the 2022 Finalissima, a match between the European and South American champions, losing 3–0 to Argentina. They finished third in the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals.

Luciano Spalletti became the new coach in 2023. He led the team to qualify for Euro 2024. However, Italy was eliminated in the Round of 16 after losing to Switzerland. In June 2025, after a loss to Norway in a World Cup qualifier, Spalletti left his role as coach. Gennaro Gattuso is now the head coach.

Team Rivalries

  • Italy vs. Brazil: These two teams are among the most successful in the world, with nine World Cup titles between them. They have played five times in the World Cup, including two finals in 1970 and 1994.
  • Italy vs. France: This rivalry started in 1910. Key matches include the 2006 World Cup final, which Italy won on penalties, and the Euro 2000 final, which France won.
  • Italy vs. Germany: This is a famous rivalry, especially after the "Game of the Century" in the 1970 World Cup. Italy also beat West Germany in the 1982 World Cup final. Germany had never beaten Italy in a major tournament until Euro 2016.
  • Italy vs. Spain: Known as the Mediterranean Derby, this rivalry has grown stronger since Euro 2008. A notable match was the UEFA Euro 2012 final, which Spain won 4–0.

Team Image

Kits and Crest

Italy national football team1910
Italy in 1910, wearing the original white jersey. They would switch to the traditional blue shirt a year later.
Giuseppe Meazza in the early 1930s wearing Italy's blue shirt with the cross of the House of Savoy badge.
The blue shirt had a House of Savoy badge during the early 1930s.
Giacinto Facchetti wearing the classic Italian uniform in 1968: blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks and the tricolour badge.
Italy's classic kit, worn by Giacinto Facchetti in 1968

The first Italian national team wore white shirts in 1910. A year later, they switched to blue (Savoy azure), which is the color of the royal House of Savoy. This is why they are called gli Azzurri.

In the 1930s, during the time of Benito Mussolini, Italy sometimes wore a black kit. This black kit was used in a few matches, including one at the 1938 World Cup. After World War II, the monarchy ended, and the blue and white kit returned. The old royal symbol was removed from the team's badge, replaced by the Tricolore (the Italian flag).

Over the years, the badge changed to include "ITALIA" and then "FIGC" (Italian Football Federation). After winning their third World Cup in 1982, three gold stars were added to the badge. A fourth star was added after their 2006 World Cup win.

Different companies have made Italy's kits over the years. Adidas was the first in 1974. From 2003 to 2022, Puma made the kits. Since 2023, Adidas has been the kit manufacturer again.

Kit supplier Period
No supplier 1910–1973
West Germany Adidas 1974–1977
Italy Baila 1978–1979
France Le Coq Sportif 1980–1984
Italy Ennerre 1985
Italy Diadora 1986–1994
United States Nike 1995–1998
Italy Kappa 1999–2002
Germany Puma 2003–2022
Germany Adidas 2023–present

Coaching Staff

Lausanne vs Sion 27 february 2013 - Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso has been Italy's head coach since June 2025.

In Italian football, the head coach is called the Technical Commissioner (commissario tecnico). This title is also used in other Italian team sports.

Position Staff
Head coach Italy Gennaro Gattuso
Assistant coach Italy Luigi Riccio
Technical assistant Italy Leonardo Bonucci
Goalkeeping coaches Italy Roberto Perrone
Italy Cristiano Lupatelli
Fitness coaches Italy Bruno Dominici
Italy Dino Tenderini
Match analysts Italy Marco Sangermani
Italy Marco Mannucci
Head of delegation Italy Gianluigi Buffon
Doctors Italy Angelo De Carli
Italy Carmine Costabile
Physiotherapists Italy Mauro Doimi
Italy Fabio Sannino
Italy Emanuele Randelli
Italy Fabrizio Scalzi
Osteopath Italy Walter Martinelli
Nutritionist Italy Matteo Pincella

Source:

Recent Matches

Main article: Italy national football team results

Here are the results of Italy's matches from the last year, and any upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

2025 Matches

Current Players

Team Roster

The players listed below were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Norway and Moldova in June 2025.

Information is correct as of June 9, 2025, after the match against Moldova.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Gianluigi Donnarumma (captain) (1999-02-25) 25 February 1999 (age 26) 74 0 France Paris Saint-Germain
12 1GK Alex Meret (1997-03-22) 22 March 1997 (age 28) 3 0 Italy Napoli
23 1GK Marco Carnesecchi (2000-07-01) 1 July 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Italy Atalanta
2 2DF Diego Coppola (2003-12-28) 28 December 2003 (age 21) 2 0 England Brighton & Hove Albion
3 2DF Federico Dimarco (1997-11-10) 10 November 1997 (age 27) 30 3 Italy Inter Milan
5 2DF Federico Gatti (1998-06-24) 24 June 1998 (age 27) 6 0 Italy Juventus
13 2DF Destiny Udogie (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 (age 22) 12 0 England Tottenham Hotspur
15 2DF Daniele Rugani (1994-07-29) 29 July 1994 (age 30) 7 0 Italy Juventus
19 2DF Luca Ranieri (1999-04-23) 23 April 1999 (age 26) 1 0 Italy Fiorentina
20 2DF Andrea Cambiaso (2000-02-20) 20 February 2000 (age 25) 14 3 Italy Juventus
21 2DF Alessandro Bastoni (1999-04-13) 13 April 1999 (age 26) 37 2 Italy Inter Milan
22 2DF Giovanni Di Lorenzo (1993-08-04) 4 August 1993 (age 31) 48 5 Italy Napoli
2DF Davide Zappacosta (1992-06-11) 11 June 1992 (age 33) 14 0 Italy Atalanta
4 3MF Nicolò Rovella (2001-12-04) 4 December 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Italy Lazio
6 3MF Samuele Ricci (2001-08-21) 21 August 2001 (age 23) 10 0 Italy AC Milan
8 3MF Sandro Tonali (2000-05-08) 8 May 2000 (age 25) 25 2 England Newcastle United
14 3MF Cesare Casadei (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Italy Torino
16 3MF Davide Frattesi (1999-09-22) 22 September 1999 (age 25) 29 8 Italy Inter Milan
18 3MF Nicolò Barella (1997-02-07) 7 February 1997 (age 28) 63 10 Italy Inter Milan
7 4FW Riccardo Orsolini (1997-01-24) 24 January 1997 (age 28) 9 2 Italy Bologna
9 4FW Mateo Retegui (1999-04-29) 29 April 1999 (age 26) 20 6 Italy Atalanta
10 4FW Giacomo Raspadori (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 (age 25) 40 9 Italy Napoli
11 4FW Daniel Maldini (2001-10-11) 11 October 2001 (age 23) 5 0 Italy Atalanta
17 4FW Lorenzo Lucca (2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24) 5 0 Italy Napoli

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Guglielmo Vicario (1996-10-07) 7 October 1996 (age 28) 4 0 England Tottenham Hotspur v.  Norway, 6 June 2025 INJ
GK Michele Di Gregorio (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Italy Juventus v.  Israel, 14 October 2024
DF Francesco Acerbi (1988-02-10) 10 February 1988 (age 37) 34 1 Italy Inter Milan v.  Norway, 6 June 2025
DF Alessandro Buongiorno (1999-06-06) 6 June 1999 (age 26) 10 0 Italy Napoli v.  Norway, 6 June 2025 INJ
DF Matteo Gabbia (1999-10-21) 21 October 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Italy AC Milan v.  Norway, 6 June 2025 INJ
DF Riccardo Calafiori (2002-05-19) 19 May 2002 (age 23) 9 0 England Arsenal v.  Germany, 23 March 2025 INJ
DF Raoul Bellanova (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 25) 5 0 Italy Atalanta v.  Germany, 23 March 2025
DF Pietro Comuzzo (2005-02-20) 20 February 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Italy Fiorentina v.  Germany, 23 March 2025
DF Matteo Ruggeri (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Spain Atlético Madrid v.  Germany, 23 March 2025
DF Caleb Okoli (2001-07-13) 13 July 2001 (age 24) 0 0 England Leicester City v.  France, 17 November 2024
DF Nicolò Savona (2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Italy Juventus v.  France, 17 November 2024
MF Manuel Locatelli (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 (age 27) 30 3 Italy Juventus v.  Norway, 6 June 2025 INJ
MF Niccolò Pisilli (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Italy Roma v.  France, 17 November 2024
MF Nicolò Fagioli (2001-02-12) 12 February 2001 (age 24) 7 0 Italy Fiorentina v.  Israel, 14 October 2024
MF Lorenzo Pellegrini (1996-06-19) 19 June 1996 (age 29) 36 6 Italy Roma v.  Belgium, 10 October 2024
MF Marco Brescianini (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 (age 25) 2 0 Italy Atalanta v.  Israel, 9 September 2024
FW Moise Kean (2000-02-28) 28 February 2000 (age 25) 21 7 Italy Fiorentina v.  Norway, 6 June 2025 INJ
FW Matteo Politano (1993-08-03) 3 August 1993 (age 31) 14 3 Italy Napoli v.  Germany, 23 March 2025
FW Mattia Zaccagni (1995-06-16) 16 June 1995 (age 30) 10 1 Italy Lazio v.  Germany, 23 March 2025
FW Nicolò Zaniolo (1999-07-02) 2 July 1999 (age 26) 19 2 Turkey Galatasaray v.  Israel, 14 October 2024
  • INJ Withdrew due to injury

Past Squads

Main article: List of Italy national football team World Cup and European Championship squads

Player Records

Main articles: Italy national football team records and statistics and List of Italy international footballers

Most Appearances

Gianluigi Buffon (2014)
Gianluigi Buffon is the most capped player in the history of Italy with 176 caps.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Gianluigi Buffon 176 0 1997–2018
2 Fabio Cannavaro 136 2 1997–2010
3 Paolo Maldini 126 7 1988–2002
4 Leonardo Bonucci 121 8 2010–2023
5 Giorgio Chiellini 117 8 2004–2022
Daniele De Rossi 117 21 2004–2017
7 Andrea Pirlo 116 13 2002–2015
8 Dino Zoff 112 0 1968–1983
9 Gianluca Zambrotta 98 2 1999–2010
10 Giacinto Facchetti 94 3 1963–1977

Top Goalscorers

Gigi Riva, Italia, 1968 (cropped)
Luigi Riva is the top scorer in the history of Italy with 35 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Period
1 Luigi Riva (list) 35 42 0.83 1965–1974
2 Giuseppe Meazza 33 53 0.62 1930–1939
3 Silvio Piola 30 34 0.88 1935–1952
4 Roberto Baggio 27 56 0.48 1988–2004
Alessandro Del Piero 91 0.3 1995–2008
6 Adolfo Baloncieri 25 47 0.53 1920–1930
Filippo Inzaghi 57 0.44 1997–2007
Alessandro Altobelli 61 0.41 1980–1988
9 Christian Vieri 23 49 0.47 1997–2005
Francesco Graziani 64 0.36 1975–1983

Team Captains

Main article: List of Italy national football team captains

Here are the players who have been captains of the Italian national team over the years.

Team Records

Main article: Italy national football team records and statistics
  • Largest victory: 9–0 vs. United States, August 2, 1948
  • Largest defeat: 1–7 vs. Hungary, April 6, 1924

Honors and Awards

Major Competitions

Regional Competitions

  • Central European International Cup
    • Champions (2): 1927–30, 1933–35
    • Runners-up (1): 1931–32

Friendly Tournaments

  • Ciudad de México Cup Tournament
    • Champions (1): 1985
  • Scania 100 Tournament
    • Champions (1): 1991

Special Awards

  • FIFA Best Mover of the Year: 2006
  • Laureus World Team of the Year: 2007, 2022
  • World Soccer Team of the Year: 2021
  • Gazzetta Sports World Team of the Year: 1982, 2006

Summary of Major Honors

Competition 1 2 3 Total
FIFA World Cup 4 2 1 7
FIFA Confederations Cup 0 0 1 1
Olympic Games 1 0 1 2
UEFA European Championship 2 2 0 4
UEFA Nations League 0 0 2 2
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 0 1 0 1
Total 7 5 5 17

See also

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