Fading giants: Are Italy needed at the FIFA World Cup anymore?

The Azzurri's quartet of victories at the tournament is a feat only bettered by Brazil, handing them heavyweight status at the showpiece event.

Yet two decades on from their last World Cup trophy lift back at Germany 2006, it seems safe to say that they have lost their touch on the world stage, despite a Euros' victory in 2021.

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Italy win fourth World Cup crown

How it happened in 2006

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Marcelo Lippi's side crashed out at the group stage in 2010, and Cesare Prandelli's men were condemned to the same fate four years later in Brazil.

Gian Piero Ventura and Roberto Mancini led unsuccessful qualifying campaigns for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, respectively, meaning the pressure is heaped on Gattuso to turn their fortunes around .

But have football fans become too obsessed with the idea that Italy are a necessity for a World Cup, and will they really add anything to the tournament?

(C)Getty Images

Lack of superstars

Over the years, Italy has been responsible for some of football's biggest names - and some of its biggest moments.

Think Marco Tardelli's goal celebration at Espana 1982, or Andrea Pirlo's masterful man-of-the-match turn at Deutschland 2006.

These are figures frozen in memory, superstars preserved in amber - and yet, in the past two decades, they have been in short supply.

With the exception of Gianluigi Donnarumma, it is hard to make a strong case for the emergence of any other 'world-class' Italian footballers in the last 20 years.

@donnarumma

The Azzurri miss those mavericks who made fans worldwide switch the television on - how their current squad could use the ever-contentious Mario Balotelli to provide a talking point.

Gattuso's side have looked to Newcastle's Sandro Tonali for inspiration throughout their qualifying campaign , with the 25-year old netting the opener last time out against Northern Ireland.

But the lack of quality in Italian football is a deep-rooted issue, and one has been bubbling under the surface, according to Alessandro Del Piero.

Speaking to CBS Sports last month, the Juventus legend stated: "The level of investment [in Italy] is low. Other markets have become much, much bigger than us'.

"Can I cry? It's a struggle situation".

From an on-pitch point of view, Italy do not possess the personnel to suggest they will add something unique to the tournament.

No time for sentiment (C)Getty Images

Italy's footballing legacy is one of tactical and individual brilliance, shaped by a rich history of iconic players and triumphs on the world stage.

But if you are unable to sustain such success, you gradually lose your divine right to appear at a major tournament.

Across the globe, so-called 'lesser' footballing nations are taking the initiative - investing in youth development and closing the gap on those above.

Take Morocco as one of the prime examples, a country that is approaching football investment worth four billion dollars. 

Last year's U-20 World Cup triumph can be seen as these investments paying dividends for Morocco.

@AchrafHakimi

This small North-African nation now boasts a number of global football stars playing club football at the highest level, including PSG's Achraf Hakimi.

Several other countries will feel they have the talent in their ranks to also warrant the 'underdog' label this summer;  Ecuador , Senegal and Norway - to name a few.

Italian football requires intensive care and even if the Azzurri qualify successfully, expectations for their tournament will be significantly lower than in years gone by.

We don't  need  Italy this summer; we  need  48 teams who qualify on footballing merit, not reputation.

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