Italy will miss the 2026 World Cup for the third tournament running, yet Serie A’s global influence remains undiminished. The division will provide 66 players to the finals in North America, while three Italian coaches will lead foreign nations into the competition.
Italian Expertise on the World Stage
Although the Azzurri failed to qualify, Italian tactical expertise will be visible on the touchline. Carlo Ancelotti will guide Brazil, Vincenzo Montella takes charge of Turkey, and Fabio Cannavaro will manage Uzbekistan. Their presence underscores the continued respect for Italian coaching methods despite the national team’s absence.
The league’s playing talent is also in high demand. Sixty-six footballers from Italy’s top flight will appear at the tournament, demonstrating that Serie A remains a fertile ground for international selection even when Italy itself is not participating. This figure highlights a paradox: while the national side struggles to reach the finals, the domestic championship continues to attract and develop players capable of competing at the highest level.
Premier League Exports Thriving
Recent seasons have seen a notable exodus of Italian talent to English clubs. Goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma secured the 2024-25 Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain before subsequently joining Manchester City. Defender Riccardo Calafiori helped Arsenal end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title this season, while Giovanni Leoni completed a high-profile transfer to Liverpool in 2025. However, Leoni’s prospects were halted by a cruciate ligament injury suffered on his debut, ruling him out for the entire 2025-26 campaign.
Elsewhere in England, defenders Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie both lifted the Europa League last term, and Michael Kayode has established himself among the Premier League’s top right-backs with Brentford. These successes abroad illustrate the technical quality Serie A continues to produce.
Youth Pipeline and Next Season
There is optimism for the future following Italy’s victory in the U17 European Championship this summer. Caretaker manager Silvio Baldini highlighted the strength of the youth system after calling up 19 debutants from a 24-man squad for June friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. “Our family, Italy, is built on certain principles,” he said. He noted that youth teams have performed well, but identified the transition to senior level as the historical challenge. “I believe that step is less steep now after these displays,” he added.
Baldini is expected to return to the Under-21 setup in September as the federation appoints a new senior head coach. Domestically, clubs are already planning ahead, with the 2026-27 Serie A fixture list drawn up last week to provide clarity for the campaign that will follow the World Cup.