The article discusses the importance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup for Italy's football team for the first time in twenty years, as the country's most important match for the year is the last knockout match the Azzurri has played for 20 years. Since then, Italy has been knocked out in the group stages in 2010 and 2014, before failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022. The author expresses disappointment that Italy and the Italian Serie A are no longer the best league and one of the best soccer nations in the world. Gennaro Gattuso was appointed as head coach by the Italian FA to bring back the right mentality and sense of belonging for the national team. Marcello Lippi, the 2006 Italy coach, expressed his admiration for Gattauso's commitment to the team and his vision, and expressed hope that the country would make it to the World Cup.