Italy international midfielder Jorginho has expressed deep frustration over his country’s continued absence from the FIFA World Cup, describing it as a painful situation for one of football’s most successful nations.
Italy have now missed out on qualification for three consecutive World Cup tournaments, a dramatic fall for a team that has historically been among the competition’s strongest contenders.
The four-time world champions last appeared at the tournament in 2014, and have since failed to qualify in the 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.
Speaking about the situation, Jorginho did not hide his disappointment, saying the repeated failure to reach the tournament feels like a major setback for Italian football.
“It’s already the 3rd World Cup in a row that we miss… we’ve hit rock bottom,” he said.
The midfielder also admitted it is difficult to watch the tournament without Italy being part of it, stressing the emotional impact on players and fans alike.
“It’s strange to see the World Cup without Italy. I hope it doesn’t become a normal thing,” he added.
Italy’s struggles in recent qualification campaigns have been widely discussed, pointing to inconsistent performances, transitional squad rebuilding, and missed opportunities in crucial playoff matches.
Their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, in particular, shocked the football world after they were eliminated by North Macedonia in the playoffs.
This trend was repeated in the 2026 qualifiers after they were eliminated by Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
The absence of Italy has been felt strongly at international tournaments, given the nation’s rich football history, which includes World Cup titles in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.
Their rivalry with top European sides and tradition of producing world-class defenders, midfielders, and tactical systems have long made them a major presence on the global stage.
The Italian Football Federation has since launched restructuring efforts aimed at rebuilding competitiveness, investing in youth development, and restoring consistency in international competitions.
