Italy sink to lowest world ranking since 2020 after 1-4 Norway defeat

The Italy national team have sunk to their lowest position in the world rankings since 2020 as a result of their 4-1 defeat against Norway in World Cup qualifying on Sunday evening. 

Though they had led 1-0 at half-time through Francesco Pio Esposito, the Azzurri collapsed after the hour mark and conceded four goals from Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland (x2) and Jorgen Strand Larsen. 

The result confirmed Italy’s second-place finish in Group I of World Cup qualifying, finishing with 18 points from eight matches. Norway topped the group with a 100% win record and have qualified directly for the final tournament in the summer. 

Sunday’s 4-1 defeat against Norway in San Siro was a miserable result for a number of reasons. 

Firstly, it was the worst home defeat by the Italy national team on home soil in 70 years. It also means that the Azzurri have only won three games in San Siro over the last 20 years. They have also lost all of their last three when playing at the Giuseppe Meazza. 

What is also alarming is the fact that Italy are now set to drop down to 12th place in the world rankings, which is Italy’s worst placement since June 2020. 

FIFA will officially update the world rankings on Wednesday, November 19, but as per Calcio e Finanza, who have done the maths after the latest international fixtures, Italy will drop down from ninth to 12th.

The Azzurri were 13th in the world rankings in the summer of 2020, but shot up to fourth place the following summer after victory at EURO 2020, which was played in the summer of 2021. However, since then, it has largely been a gradual decline for the Azzurri in the world rankings.