Three Italian Coaches Secure World Cup 2026 Spots, Italy and Gattuso Miss Out

Despite the Italian national team, led by Gennaro Gattuso, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, an Italian influence will still be strongly felt at the tournament. Three prominent former Azzurri players have successfully guided other nations to the global football showcase as head coaches.

Italy's own World Cup aspirations were dashed for the third consecutive cycle, as they were eliminated in the play-off stage. The ten-man Azzurri suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday night, marking another disappointing exit.

Italian Head Coaches at the 2026 World Cup

Even with Italy's absence from the competition, the country will be well-represented on the touchlines. Only Argentina (6), France (6), and Spain (4) will boast more head coaches at the 2026 World Cup than Italy (3), underscoring the nation's strong coaching prowess.

The three Italian strategists who have secured their places are:

• Carlo Ancelotti, coaching Brazil.
• Fabio Cannavaro, leading Uzbekistan.
• Vincenzo Montella, at the helm of Turkiye. Montella's team notably defeated Kosovo in their World Cup play-off final, which took place concurrently with the Bosnia vs. Italy match on Tuesday evening.

The expanded 2026 World Cup will feature 48 competing teams, managed by head coaches from 25 different nations. Beyond the leading countries like Argentina (6), France (6), Spain (4), and Italy (3), other nations with multiple coaches include Germany (3), England (2), the Netherlands (2), Australia (2), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2), and Morocco (2).

Several nations, including Croatia, Norway, Czechia, Scotland, Switzerland, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Mexico, will have coaches representing their own countries. Additionally, South Africa will be guided by the tournament’s sole Belgian head coach, Hugo Broos, while Canada will feature the only American coach, Jesse Marsch.