Italy's World Cup absence forces federation reckoning as Baldini era ends

Italy's friendly against Greece on Sunday marked the second and final match under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini, whose tenure ends as the federation begins its search for a permanent successor. The Azzurri, who stunned observers by failing to qualify for the World Cup after playoff defeat, are now tasked with rebuilding a squad that has missed consecutive tournaments for the first time in decades. Baldini's brief was to steady the ship through two friendlies—Italy beat Luxembourg 1-0 on Wednesday with a goal from Inter talent Francesco Pio Esposito—before stepping aside to allow a new President of the Italian Federation, due to take office on June 22, to shape the long-term vision.

The absence of Italy from the World Cup has prompted reflection across European football. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, preparing for his first World Cup, acknowledged that the tournament "is not the same" without Italy, urging the federation to follow France's model by working on youth development and foundational structures rather than chasing quick fixes. The comparison to France underscores the scale of Italy's challenge: the French recovered from their own 2010 World Cup crisis through systematic investment in academy football and long-term planning.

Italy's path back to relevance requires more than a managerial change. The federation must address the structural issues that led to playoff defeat—a lack of depth in key positions, inconsistent form among established players, and insufficient development of young talent. The emergence of Esposito at Inter offers a glimmer of hope, yet one striker does not rebuild a national team. The incoming federation leadership will inherit a squad that has lost the aura of invincibility it once possessed, and the pressure to deliver results will be immediate.

The timing of the federation leadership change adds uncertainty. A new President taking office on June 22 will have little time to appoint a coach and implement a strategy before the next World Cup qualifying campaign begins. Italy's next competitive fixture will come in Nations League matches in September, meaning the new regime has barely two months to establish direction before returning to competitive football.

For Italian football, the World Cup absence also carries economic and cultural weight. Broadcasting rights, sponsorship revenue and merchandise sales tied to World Cup participation represent significant income streams for the federation. More broadly, Italy's absence from the tournament removes a focal point for national pride and unity—a loss felt acutely in a country where football remains a primary lens through which the world views Italian culture and identity.