ITALY – 2016 AWAY SHIRT 2006 TRIBUTE
Italy’s national team are one of international football’s true heavyweights, representing a country with a rich and storied footballing tradition. The Azzurri have spent much of their history among the world’s elite, winning four FIFA World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and two UEFA European Championships (1968, 2020). Renowned for their tactical intelligence, defensive mastery and effortlessly stylish blue shirts, Italy remain one of the most successful and respected nations in the game.
This remarkable legacy has been shaped by legendary figures such as Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero.
In 2016, Italy took to the pitch in this clean and understated white away shirt, which was a tribute to their 2006 World Cup winning squad and a classic contrast to their famous blue. The design reflected the nation’s traditional secondary colours, combining simplicity with elegance, and was worn during a crucial period of international competition as the Azzurri fought to secure qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
That campaign ultimately proved to be one of the most difficult chapters in Italy’s modern history. Despite finishing second in their qualifying group, Italy were forced into a playoff against Sweden. Over two tense legs, the Azzurri struggled to break down stubborn opposition and were eliminated after a 1–0 aggregate defeat, marking their first failure to qualify for a World Cup since 1958.
The disappointment led to a period of reflection and transition within Italian football, signalling the end of an era for several legendary players and prompting a rebuild that would eventually see Italy return to glory just a few years later at EURO 2020.
As of 2026, Italy have narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, finishing second behind Erling Haaland’s Norway in their qualifying group. The Azzurri until recently still had a route to the tournament via the playoffs, where victories over Northern Ireland and then Bosnia & Herzegovina would have secured their place. However, following a dramatic 120 minutes (where Italy had a red card in the first half), Italy remarkably lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties.
This made it 3 successive World Cups that Italy have missed out on! And for a nation with the likes of Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, Sandro Tonali, and Manuel Locatelli there will be a serious rejig in the Italian Football Association to rectify their form, with manager Gennaro Gattuso already leaving.
Follow the Azzurri on X: @Azzurri
