Why are Italy not at the 2022 World Cup?

As one in every of the greatest soccer nations on the planet, Italy are synonymous with the World Cup.

As four-time winners, they’ve the joint-second greatest document in the competitors’s historical past – tied with Germany and behind Brazil who’ve 5 trophies.

However, there might be a tragic lack of Azzurri blue as soon as the motion kicks off in November.

Here’s why Italy will not be current at Qatar.

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To make a protracted story brief, they didn’t qualify.

To make a protracted story, effectively, lengthy, Italy had been drawn alongside Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania in Group C of UEFA’s World Cup qualification.

They ended up ending second behind Switzerland, who routinely certified for the World Cup, as 4 attracts from eight video games restricted them to the play-offs.

It was missed alternatives throughout their two video games with Switzerland which contributed to their heartbreak. In each clashes, Jorginho missed penalties as every match led to a draw. They additionally didn’t beat Northern Ireland on the closing day of group stage qualification, ending two factors behind the Swiss.

Italy had been seeded as one in every of the six-best groups in the play-offs, being positioned in Path C in what many thought would finish in a closing showdown between the Azzurri and Portugal. However, a semi closing with North Macedonia in March earlier this 12 months ended up ending their hopes of reaching Qatar.

After misfiring for 90 minutes, Italy had been made to pay as Aleksandar Trajkovski scored the solely aim of the sport in the 92nd minute to arrange a gathering between North Macedonia and Portugal. Fernando Santos’ aspect sealed qualification thanks to 2 strikes from Bruno Fernandes in a 2-0 win.

Italy document at the World Cup

Italy introduced themselves as one in every of the greatest groups in the world at Euro 2020 once they beat England in the closing on penalties at Wembley to be topped the prime aspect in Europe.

However, that golden technology of gamers failed in 2022 qualification, whereas the Azzurri had been additionally absent from the 2018 World Cup in Russia – they misplaced over two legs to Sweden.