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Italy national football team

The Italy national football team represents Italy in men's international association football and is governed by the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Italy national football team represents Italy in men's international association football and is governed by the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). Known as the Azzurri, it is one of the most successful national teams in football history, with four FIFA World Cup titles and two UEFA European Championship titles.

History

Italy has been one of international football's leading national teams since the early 20th century. Its major honours include four World Cups and two European Championships, making it one of the most decorated teams in the sport.

Identity

The team is nicknamed Gli Azzurri, or the Blues, because of its blue shirts. It is administered by the FIGC and competes under the UEFA confederation and FIFA code ITA.

Records and notable players

Gianluigi Buffon and Luigi Riva hold the team's appearance and scoring records, respectively. Italy also holds the men's international record for the longest unbeaten streak, at 37 matches.

Recent leadership

The provided sources identify Silvio Baldini as caretaker head coach and Gianluigi Donnarumma as captain. Recent squad lists also show a core of internationally established players across major European clubs.

Key facts

  • Italy has won the FIFA World Cup four times: 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.
  • Italy won the UEFA European Championship in 1968 and 2021.
  • The team is commonly known as the Azzurri, a reference to its blue kit.
  • Gianluigi Buffon holds the record for most appearances with 176 caps.
  • Luigi Riva is the team's all-time leading scorer with 35 goals.
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Canadian context

Canada's national team has faced Italy in international football contexts and Italian football has a substantial following among Canadian soccer fans, especially within Canada’s large Italian diaspora.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Italy national football team?
It is Italy's men's senior international football team, representing the country in competitions organized by FIFA and UEFA.
What are Italy's biggest achievements?
Italy has won four World Cups and two European Championships, and it also won Olympic gold in 1936.
Why is the team called the Azzurri?
The nickname refers to the team's traditional blue kit, which is closely associated with Italy's national sports teams.
Who has the most caps for Italy?
Gianluigi Buffon holds the appearance record with 176 matches.
Who is Italy's top scorer?
Luigi Riva is the team's all-time top scorer with 35 goals.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team
    Supports: Nickname, governing body, confederation, FIFA code, head coach, most caps, top scorer, and major honours
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89quipe_d'Italie_de_football
    Supports: Captain, most caps, top scorer, and unbeaten record
  3. Foot Mercato — https://www.footmercato.net/selection/italie/effectif/
    Supports: Recent squad and coaching information
  4. Le Monde — https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/06/11/euro-2024-decouvrez-l-equipe-d-italie-en-une-minute_6238546_3242.html
    Supports: Euro 2024 squad context, captain, and recent coach identification
  5. Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.fr/italien/startseite/verein/3376
    Supports: FIGC foundation date and federation details
  6. BeSoccer — https://www.besoccer.com/team/italy
    Supports: Founding date and home venue information