The Mondiali, or Mondiale (short for Campionato mondiale di calcio, AKA FIFA World Cup), the most important international competition of men’s national soccer teams, has been held every four years since its foundation in 1930. And, as you most likely know, it is happening in 2026. Without Italy. Non c’è Mondiale senza Italia, the “old” saying would go, but it’s probably time to update it, since this is the third competition in a row in which Italy does not even participate. Sadness and national pride tucked away, let’s see how Italy and the World Cup used to go along so well, and what Mondiali mean to Italians.
History and Major Italian Victories
As of the 2022 World Cup—the last edition before the current one—a total of 22 final tournaments had been held, and 80 national teams had played. The World Cup (Coppa del Mondo) has been awarded to eight national teams. Brazil (the only team to have participated in all tournaments) won five times, followed by Germany and Italy, each with four titles. (Italians have a good point claiming Non c’è Mondiale senza Italia, but still…). Italy won in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. 1982 and 2006 are, understandably, the most celebrated ones, with their aura of legend, personal anecdotes, and mythical matches.
The 1982 World Cup was held in Spain, and its final match (Italy-Germany, won 3-1 by Italy, indeed) holds a legendary status among Italians. In the Italian popular culture, Italia-Germania means three matches: the soberly named Partita del Secolo (Game of the Century), the World Cup semifinal played in Mexico City in 1970, won 4-3 by Italy (with a total of 5 goals scored in extra time!); la finale di Madrid, that is, the 1982 World Cup Final played in Spain and won 3-1 by Italians; the 2006 World Cup Semifinal played in Germany and won by 2-0 Italy. Italy later won the 2026 Final, conquering its fourth Cup. Endless personal anecdotes accompany each of these matches, the 1982 being perhaps the most popularised. Campioni del Mondo! Campioni del Mondo! Campioni del Mondo! yelled Nando Martellini (the TV commentator) three times (it was the third Cup for Italy). Everyone remembers or has at least heard that shout. And everyone has seen the picture of the Italian players Causio and Zoff, coach Bearzot, together with the Presidente della Repubblica Pertini, playing scopone scientifico — a highly strategic card game derived from scopa — on their flight back home, with the Coppa del Mondo in the foreground.
The 2006 win has also been widely celebrated in pop culture. It has been a tough year for Italian soccer, with several corruption scandals being brought to light in the months before the competition. Italy won the World Cup after beating France 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw after extra time. It was an epic match, with some dramatic episodes, culminating with French top player Zidane being sent off for head-butting the Italian player Materazzi (who had previously heavily provoked him) in the chest. Despite some Italy-France quarrels following the episode, the celebrations were grand and lasted for days.
World Cup Celebrations in Italy
It’s hard to overestimate the relevance of Mondiali in Italy. World Cup is THE BIG THING. The whole country stops during Italy’s matches—streets are silent, even in big cities. People gather in each other’s homes to watch the game together, and when Italy scores, well, you hear the Urlo Mondiale (the World Cup Shout) coming out from every household. At the same time, it’s hard not to feel the disappointment of Italians over their Team not qualifying for the World Cup three times in a row due to a mix of bad luck but, mostly, poor management and performances. Italians do love their Mondiali. The 1990 edition, held in Italy, is and will always be remembered as the summer of notti magiche. Italy did not win (Germany did), but it was a magical summer for the whole country, immortalised by songs, movies, and again, personal anecdotes. Let’s see what happens in 2030, when the Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—hopefully, Spain will bring good luck! Fingers crossed already, and let’s enjoy the 2026 edition for now!
By Claudia Quesito
Also read:
Exploring Culture Through 2026 World Cup Teams
How the World Cup 2026 on US Soil Connects Sports, Language, and Culture
