Overview
- Italy dropped two places to 11th in the July 2025 FIFA rankings, ending an uninterrupted top-ten run since October 2020.
- Rino Gattuso has succeeded Luciano Spalletti and is already reshaping the men’s squad and tactics ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers.
- Exiting the top nine guarantees Italy will miss out on a seeded position in the 2026 World Cup draw across Canada, the USA and Mexico.
- Andrea Soncin’s women’s team must secure at least a draw against reigning world champions Spain in Bern on July 11 to reach a Euro 2025 quarter-final for the first time since 2013.
- Spain have netted 11 goals in two group-stage matches, led by Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, prompting Italy to test new formations.