Italian defender Franco Baresi, the captain of AC Milan in the 1980s and 1990s when they won three European Cups and six Italian league titles, has died at the age of 66.

Roberto Mancini issued an apology in his first public comments Wednesday after being rehired to coach an Italy squad in crisis three years after he abandoned the same job for a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia.

Roberto Mancini has once again been tasked with revitalizing an Italy team in crisis, almost exactly three years after he bolted on the national team. Italian soccer federation Giovanni Malago announced Mancini as the new Italy coach.

Pirlo said in his post that he was angry at being judged not on his sporting record but on the wider issue over his links to Russia.

Former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was favoured for the national coaching post, expressed his bitterness on Monday over the debate which has led to him no longer being a candidate.

The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) has talked to former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti about taking over the crisis-hit national team.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is prepared to make an exceptional adjustment to its budget in a bid to appoint Pep Guardiola as the new head coach of the men's national team.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has appointed former captain and legendary defender Paolo Maldini as its new Technical Director.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic named Italy under-21 international Cristian Volpato in his 26-strong squad for the World Cup on Monday after he switched allegiance to Australia last week.

Italian officials pushed back hard at the suggestion, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying Thursday that "first of all, it's not possible. Secondly, it's not a good idea."

Several footballers and even a Formula 1 driver have been implicated in an ongoing investigation of a prostitution ring in Milan.

US president Donald Trump has reportedly received a suggestion to replace Iran with four-time winners Italy at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held later this year.

Italy have failed to qualify for FIFA World Cup for three consecutive editions, despite winning the 2020 European Championships.

Gattuso was hired last June to replace the fired Luciano Spalletti, with Italy's World Cup qualifying hopes already flagging again.

Italy are the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament, and it was also a third straight elimination in the play-offs after Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia four years ago.

If Italy is going to qualify for its first World Cup in 12 years, the Azzurri's defenders are going to have to contain a striker they respect and know well.

Italy missed the last two editions in Russia and Qatar but Tonali's powerful drive and an excellent finish from Kean nudged Gennaro Gattuso's team a step closer to a return to international football's biggest stage.

Liverpool's Federico Chiesa was recalled Friday to Italy's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs while Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will miss the match to undergo surgery.