Italy

Lore & Background

The history of Italy goes back to numerous Italic peoples, notably including the ancient Romans, who conquered the Mediterranean world during the Roman Republic and ruled it for centuries during the Roman Empire. With the spread of Christianity, Rome became the seat of the Catholic Church and the Papacy. Barbarian invasions and other factors led to the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire between late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. By the 11th century, Italian city-states and maritime republics expanded, bringing renewed prosperity through commerce and laying the groundwork for modern capitalism. The Italian Renaissance flourished during the 15th and 16th centuries and spread to the rest of Europe. Italian explorers discovered new routes to the Far East and the New World, contributing significantly to the Age of Discovery. After centuries of political and territorial divisions, the Kingdom of Italy was established in 1861, following wars of independence and the Expedition of the Thousand. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Italy industrialised and acquired a colonial empire, while the south remained largely impoverished, fuelling a large emigrant diaspora to the Americas. From 1915 to 1918, Italy took part in World War I with the Entente against the Central Powers. In 1922, the Italian fascist dictatorship was established. During World War II, Italy was first part of the Axis until an armistice with the Allied powers (1940–1943), then a co-belligerent of the Allies during the Italian resistance and liberation of Italy from German occupation and the collaborationist RSI (1943–1945). In 1946, the monarchy was replaced by a republic and the country made a strong economic recovery.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at Wembley was thick enough to choke, a sea of white and blue under the floodlights. The final whistle had blown after extra time, leaving both teams breathless and exhausted. As the captains stepped up to draw lots for the shoot-out, the weight of history pressed down on the pitch. Every step taken by the strikers echoed with the memories of past failures and future hopes, turning a simple game into a defining moment of national identity.

Reader's Guide

A developed country with an advanced economy, Italy has the eighth-largest nominal GDP in the world, the second-largest manufacturing sector in Europe, and plays a significant role in regional and – to a lesser extent – global economic, military, cultural, and political affairs. It is a founding and leading member of the European Union, and is part of numerous other international organisations and forums. As a cultural superpower, Italy has long been a renowned global centre of art, music, literature, cuisine, fashion, science and technology, and the source of multiple inventions and discoveries. It has the highest number of World Heritage Sites (62) and is the fifth most visited country in the world by international tourist arrivals.

Did You Know?

• Italy is named after the Italói, a tribe that resided in the region now known as Calabria.
• The ancient Greek term for Italy initially referred only to the south of the Bruttium peninsula.
• Roman Italy was legally merged into a single administrative unit in 42 BC.
• The Italian Renaissance flourished during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Azzurri's Golden Era and Historic Dominance

Italy stands as one of the most decorated nations in international football history, boasting four FIFA World Cup titles.

Origins, Identity, and Early Struggles

The color blue was chosen to represent the House of Savoy, the royal family that reigned over the Kingdom of Italy at the time. Before their first World Cup success, the team faced significant growing pains and tragedies.

Modern Resilience and Recent Challenges

In recent decades, Italy has experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows. However, this period also marked their most difficult era regarding World Cup qualification.

Global Rivalries and Competitive Legacy

The Italian national team has forged intense rivalries with footballing powerhouses such as Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, and England over the decades. Their competitive footprint is vast, having competed in almost every major international tournament since their inception. While they have dominated the World Cup and European Championship, Italy has also found success in other prestigious competitions. The team's technical headquarters is located at the Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano in Florence, serving as the hub for their development under the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). This federation, a co-founder of UEFA, manages the team's operations across various stadiums throughout Italy, ensuring that the legacy of 'gli Azzurri' continues to be nurtured despite recent qualification difficulties.