Claudio Ranieri does not even want to try where Roberto Mancini and Gian Piero Ventura failed — to take four-time champion Italy back to the World Cup.

Legendary manager Claudio Ranieri is inching closer towards succeeding Luciano Spalletti as Italy’s head coach, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.The Azzurri have sacked Spalletti following the

After taking some time for reflection, Claudio Ranieri told ANSA on Tuesday that he has turned down the chance to become the next Italy coach. The Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) turned to Ranieri after deciding to sack Luciano Spalletti following the Azzurri's 3-0 defeat in Norway in their first 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday.

With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy has beaten Moldova 2-0 for its first points in the beleaguered national team’s attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Stefano Pioli isn’t the only candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as the Italy national team coach after Claudio Ranieri’s refusal. According to Gazzetta, ex-Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini is a

Sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side laboured to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova in their World Cup qualification match on Monday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso.

Group I qualifying for the 2026 World Cup continues Monday, with Italy taking on Moldova in a must-win match for both sides.

A complete guide on how to watch the World Cup Qualifier between Italy and Moldova, including kickoff time, TV and streaming info, odds, and head-to-head history.

Since becoming its own nation, Moldova has never qualified for the World Cup, having not won a match during qualification since the lead-up to the 2014 tournament. Moldova has lost both of its first two matches of qualification this year, losing to Norway, 5-0, back in March, before losing a spirited 3-2 affair to Estonia.