For the next few months, every Italian nonna will reclaim her throne as the family oracle. She will tell you, with absolute certainty, that “this is our year”—just like she said in 1990, 1994, and 2006. She’s not wrong; she’s just optimistically stubborn. And you know what? Let her have it.
Your boss, who is probably also Italian, will now schedule “important meetings” that conveniently end ten minutes before Italy’s games. The local pizzeria will suddenly be packed on Tuesday nights, and the owner will refuse to change the channel from the match, even if you’re trying to order a Margherita. Resistance is futile.
The Return of the Rituals
Let’s talk about the rituals. The pre-game superstitions are back, baby. Your cousin Marco will wear the same lucky socks he’s had since 2006, and they look like they’ve been through a war. Your uncle will argue about formations until his face turns the same shade as the Italian flag. And you? You’ll find yourself yelling at the TV in fluent Italian, even if you only know the words for “gol,” “fallo,” and “mamma mia.”
The best part? The collective excuse-making. If Italy loses a friendly before the tournament, the entire country will agree it was “just a tactical test.” If they win, it’s proof of destiny. Either way, we’re all in it together, like a big, loud, carb-loaded family.
ITALY SQUAD FOR 2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION | ITALY SQUAD 2026 📝 - YouTube
