The road to the 2026 World Cup in North America is proving to be a treacherous one, even for footballing giants. Nigeria, Italy, and even England are finding that qualification is far from a foregone conclusion, with each nation facing unique challenges that could see them miss out on the world's biggest stage.
Nigeria, once a powerhouse of African football, is in a precarious position in their qualifying group. The Super Eagles' campaign has been plagued by inconsistency, tactical uncertainty, and a worrying inability to convert dominance into victories. Dropped points against supposedly weaker opponents have left them struggling to secure a spot in the top of their group. Coaching instability, with three different coaches managing the team in a short period, has further exacerbated the situation, hindering team cohesion and performance. Despite a recent 1-0 victory over Rwanda, Nigeria's path to qualification remains uncertain, requiring them to win their remaining matches and hope for favorable results from other teams.
Italy, the four-time World Cup champions, are also facing an uphill battle to reach the 2026 tournament. Having failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, the Azzurri are desperate to avoid a third consecutive absence. A change in management, with Gennaro Gattuso taking over after Luciano Spalletti's departure, highlights the pressure to revive the team's fortunes. Gattuso has emphasized the need for his players to show sacrifice, restore team spirit, and maintain consistency throughout the qualifying campaign. Despite a promising 5-0 victory over Estonia in their recent match, Italy face a challenging path, needing to secure victories in their remaining games to top their group and avoid the dreaded play-off situation.
Even England, a nation with high expectations, have shown vulnerabilities in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite maintaining a perfect record, their performances have been unconvincing, particularly in recent matches against Andorra. A lackluster 2-0 victory over theAndorrans drew criticism from former players and pundits, who pointed to a lack of attacking fluency and an over-reliance on sideways and backwards passes. Coach Thomas Tuchel has also expressed his disappointment, singling out specific players for their wastefulness in front of goal. While England are expected to qualify, their struggles against weaker opposition raise concerns about their ability to compete against stronger teams at the World Cup.
The challenges faced by Nigeria, Italy, and England highlight the increasing competitiveness of international football and the unpredictable nature of World Cup qualifying. No longer can major footballing nations take qualification for granted, as they must navigate various obstacles, including inconsistent form, tactical challenges, and pressure from emerging footballing nations. As the qualifying campaigns progress, it remains to be seen whether these giants can overcome their struggles and secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.
