The World Cup is lastly right here, and for Italian supporters, the match might be bittersweet. On the one hand, the showpiece is a competition of soccer, the gorgeous sport’s largest occasion. Then again, it’s a celebration that for the third straight version. In truth, 2026 marks 12 lengthy years for the reason that four-time champions final ventured out onto this storied stage, and by the point the 2030 spectacle rolls round, that drought could have prolonged into its sixteenth yr.
All of us keep in mind how the journey ended. Gennaro Gattuso’s Azzurri had been seemingly cruising of their qualifying playoff closing in opposition to Bosnia, with Kean’s early strike setting them nicely on their solution to lastly securing their World Cup return. Then, was despatched off, the Bosnians equalised with ten minutes remaining via , and large goalkeeper was unable to supply his ordinary penalty shootout heroics.
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However whereas Italy aren’t headed to North America, a number of Serie A’s largest names actually are. Which ones ought to followers of the league be maintaining a tally of this summer time? Let’s have a look.
GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Christian Pulisic of appears to be like on throughout the Serie A match between and at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Could 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Picture by Simone Arveda/Getty Photographs)
Are there any gamers that includes at this summer time’s World Cup below extra strain to ship than Christian Pulisic? If there are, it’s a brief listing. The AC Milan winger has been anointed as “Captain America,” with a number of the notoriously overexpectant American sports activities media genuinely believing that he’s the “.” In Europe, we all know that’s most actually not the case, however he stays probably the most gifted participant in a aspect that might be internet hosting the overwhelming majority of this summer time’s match.
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On-line betting websites make the Individuals the almost certainly out of the three co-hosts to mount a deep run this summer time. The favored makes them a 66/1 shot to win the match, and whereas that may nearly actually not occur, Pulisic has to one way or the other lead his aspect to the quarterfinals to ensure that the tens of millions of Individuals attending the match to contemplate the World Cup considerably of a hit.
How Pulisic will do that, solely he is aware of. He has simply endured a depressing second half of the season on the San Siro, by which he for the Rossoneri for the reason that flip of the yr. His downturn in type noticed Milan drop from second within the desk and in real Scudetto rivalry all the best way all the way down to fifth, lacking out on Champions League qualification. Nevertheless, draped within the American flag, it appears to be like as if his type is returning on the good time.
Pulisic supplied a purpose and an help within the latest 3-2 pleasant win in opposition to at MetLife Stadium, the location of the ultimate on July nineteenth. He might want to proceed in the same vein if the hosts are to take pleasure in success this summer time. If he doesn’t, he may nicely be vilified within the American press, simply as he has been in Milan.
Manu Koné –
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Manu Kone of AS gestures throughout the Serie A match between AS Roma and 1913 at Stadio Olimpico on October 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
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When one thinks of second-favourites France, they consider the mercurial and . They don’t, nevertheless, consider Roma central midfielder Manu Koné, however the 25-year-old could have a vital function to play within the coronary heart of the French midfield this summer time.
The Giallorossi has emerged as a vital cog for Didier Deschamps over the past two years, particularly with the downturn in type for man , who was presupposed to star on this midfield for the subsequent two years to return. Nevertheless, he’s out, and Koné is in, and he may nicely have a significant function to play this summer time.
Koné began 4 of France’s six World Cup qualifiers, a lot to the shock of many, however he didn’t for a second look misplaced. His tenacious shows within the centre of the park allowed each Mbappe and Dembele to thrive forward of him, and he’s anticipated to start out alongside Aurelien Tchouameni for Les Bleus’ opener in opposition to Senegal on June sixteenth. If Deschamps’ aspect is to succeed in a record-equalling third straight closing, then their Roma star will probably be doing a lot of the unseen work in midfield, permitting these round him to steal the present.
4 males who made their World Cup bow in 2006 will function at this summer time’s showdown, 20 years later. and are two of them, whereas legendary Mexican goalkeeper is one other. The fourth is veteran Croatian and AC Milan midfielder Luka Modrić.
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The 40-year-old has shone on this stage lately. Again in 2018, he gained the Golden Ball award as he helped the Vatreni shock the world by reaching the ultimate. In 4 years later, Modric’s affect was in full impact as soon as once more, with the then-36-year-old taking part in 666 out of a doable 690 minutes as Croatia claimed the bronze medal, beating favourites alongside the best way.
Now, on the ripe previous age of 40, he might be aiming to do the identical once more in what is going to probably be his final ever journey to the World Cup. Can he captain Croatia to a different almighty underdog run? If the final two tournaments are something to go by, we wouldn’t put it previous him.