Italy is a football country. You know the vibe—the blue shirts, the tactical obsession, the dramatic gestures. But for a long time, if you were talking about the Italy women’s national football team, it felt like you were discussing a best-kept secret that even the Italians didn't know they had.
That changed. Seriously.
If you haven’t tuned into a game lately, you’ve missed a massive cultural shift. We’re not just talking about some minor improvement; we are talking about a full-blown identity crisis turned into a success story. The Azzurre (that’s the nickname, keep up) have gone from being an afterthought to a team that legitimately scares the European elite.
The Soncin effect and the 2025 renaissance
Andrea Soncin took over the reins after the 2023 World Cup disaster, and honestly, the man had a mountain to climb. The team had crashed out of the group stages in New Zealand, looking disjointed and, frankly, a bit dated. People were calling for a total rebuild.
Soncin didn't just rebuild; he recalibrated.
In the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro, Italy didn't just participate. They went on a tear. They managed to reach the semi-finals, only to be stopped by England in a heartbreaker that went into extra time. Barbara Bonansea scored a beauty in the 33rd minute, and for a while, it looked like the final was a real possibility. They lost 2-1 in the end, but the "miserly" defense Soncin installed became the talk of the tournament.
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It’s about grit now.
Italy currently sits around 13th in the FIFA World Rankings as of early 2026. That might not sound like #1, but in a world dominated by the US, Spain, and England, holding that spot while transitioning is impressive.
Who are the players you actually need to know?
You can’t talk about this team without mentioning Cristiana Girelli. She is the captain, the No. 10, and basically the heartbeat of the squad. At 35, she’s the veteran who still knows exactly where to be in the box. She finished the Euro 2025 campaign with a massive brace against Norway that basically dragged the team into the knockouts.
But it’s not just the old guard anymore.
- Giulia Dragoni: They call her "Little Barcelona" for a reason. At 19, her vision is kind of terrifying for defenders.
- Manuela Giugliano: The midfield engine. Everything goes through her. If she has a bad day, Italy struggles. When she’s on, they look like world-beaters.
- Francesca Durante: The goalkeeper who has been standing on her head lately. She kept Italy in those games against the USWNT in late 2025, even when the scoreline didn't look great (a 2-0 and 3-0 loss in November/December).
The mix of ages is what’s interesting. You've got legends like Bonansea and Girelli playing alongside kids who weren't even born when the veterans started their pro careers. It creates this weird, beautiful friction on the pitch.
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The Road to Brazil 2027: No easy paths
Let’s be real—the next few months are going to be stressful for the fans. Italy is heading into the World Cup qualifiers starting in February 2026. They’ve been drawn into a group that is... well, it’s a bit of a nightmare.
They have to face:
- Sweden: A team Italy has historically struggled against. In four recent meetings, Italy hasn't managed a single win.
- Denmark: A tactical powerhouse that beat Italy 3-1 twice in 2025, though Italy did fire back with a 3-0 win of their own in Scandinavia.
- Serbia: The newcomers to League A. They have players like Jelena Čanković who can turn a game on its head.
The rule is simple: win the group or go to the playoffs. And nobody wants the playoffs. The goal is direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Soncin has been vocal about this—he wants the top spot. He’s building a team that doesn't just "participate" anymore.
What most people get wrong about Italian women's football
There’s this annoying myth that Italian women’s football is just "slow."
Maybe ten years ago.
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Now, with the professionalization of Serie A Femminile, the domestic level has skyrocketed. Clubs like Roma, Juventus, and Milan are pouring money into their setups. This means the national team isn't just a bunch of talented individuals; they are athletes who are training at the highest possible level year-round.
The defense is still "Italian"—meaning they are incredibly hard to break down—but the counter-attack has become lethal. They move the ball fast. They use the wings. They aren't afraid to get physical.
Actionable insights for following the Azzurre
If you want to actually keep up with the Italy women’s national football team without just reading dry box scores, here is how you do it:
- Watch the Nations League games: The matches against Sweden and Denmark in early 2026 are basically "must-watch" TV if you care about the World Cup trajectory.
- Follow the youth integration: Keep an eye on the Under-23 call-ups. Players like Eva Schatzer and Emma Severini are the future, and Soncin is giving them minutes now.
- Check the Serie A standings: Watch how the Roma and Juventus players are performing. Their form almost always dictates how the national team will look on Tuesday night.
The era of ignoring this team is over. They’ve proven they can go toe-to-toe with the world champions and the European heavyweights. Whether they can actually clinch a trophy is the big question for 2026, but one thing is certain: they aren't going to make it easy for anyone.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the starting lineups in the February qualifiers to see if Soncin sticks with his veteran core or finally hands the keys to the "Dragoni generation."