Italy sink to lowest world ranking since 2020

The Italy national team have dropped to their lowest position in the FIFA world rankings since 2020.

This follows their 4-1 defeat against Norway in World Cup qualifying on Sunday evening. 

Italy will be vying for the World Cup slot through the playoffs after finishing below Norway in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

The Azzurri had led 1-0 at half-time through Francesco Pio Esposito before collapsing after the hour mark. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland bagged a brace between goals from Antonio Nusa and Jorgen Strand Larsen. 

The result, which left Gennaro Gatusso’s men with 18 points, confirmed their second-place finish after eight matches. Norway finished as group winners with a 100% win record, qualifying directly for the final tournament in the summer. 

Sunday’s 4-1 defeat against Norway in San Siro  was the worst home defeat by the Italy national team on home soil in 70 years. 

San Siro also seems not to be a good hunting ground for the former world champions, having only won three games on the ground over the last 20 years. Italy also failed to win their last three when playing at the Giuseppe Meazza, losing all.

The latest reports show that Italy are now set to drop down to 12th place in the world rankings, which is their worst placement since June 2020. 

FIFA will announce the new official world rankings on Wednesday, November 19.  Calcio e Finanza reported that after the latest international fixtures, Italy will drop down from ninth to 12th.

The Azzurri were 13th in the world rankings as of 2020, but went up to fourth place the following summer after victory at EURO 2020,  played in the summer of 2021. 

However, since then, there has been a gradual decline for the Azzurri in the world rankings.