World Cup 2026 still a bitter pill for Italy after opening rounds | OneFootball

Italy’s World Cup frustrations deepened after the opening rounds, with the Azzurri absent from the tournament and both Carlo Ancelotti and Vincenzo Montella failing to secure victories in their debut matches.

The 2026 World Cup was always going to be a bitter event for all Italian fans, given that La Nazionale failed to qualify for the competition, missing out on the most important football tournament for the third consecutive time.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Players of Italy show their dejection of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Disappointing results for Italian coaches at the 2026 World Cup

The Azzurri were meant to be in Group B alongside Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland and Qatar, who have all played their opening matches, both ending in a 1-1 draw: Canada vs Bosnia and Qatar vs Switzerland.

The World Cup frustration for Italian fans has continued even without the Azzurri’s involvement.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 13: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Both Ancelotti and Montella, in fact, didn’t win their opening matches in the tournament.

Ancelotti’s Brazil picked up a 1-1 draw against Morocco, prompting the Italian tactician to say that his players looked too “anxious”, while Montella’s Turkey surprisingly suffered a 2-0 loss against Australia.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 13: Vincenzo Montella, Head Coach of Turkiye, kicks the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Zeki Celik and Hakan Calhanoglu started for Turkey, while Juventus star Kenan Yildiz was introduced from the bench in the second half as he’s still not fully fit after the end of the season with the Old Lady.

Ancelotti and Montella still have a chance to redeem themselves in the next two games, especially considering that even the eight best third-place teams qualify for the next round alongside the group winners and runners-up.

There’s a third Italian coach at the World Cup: 2006 Italy World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, who will lead Uzbekistan in Group K, making his debut against Colombia on Thursday, June 18.