Luciano Spalletti has been sacked from his role as Italy's coach, with the manager announcing the decision himself on Sunday, following their heavy loss to Norway, but he will take charge of Monday's game against Moldova.

ROME — The fear that four-time champion Italy will fail to qualify for a third straight World Cup has cost coach Luciano Spalletti his job. Spalletti announced Sunday that he is being fired and will leave after Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

A disastrous 3–0 defeat to Norway on Friday ultimately signalled the end of Spalletti’s reign two years after he was appointed. The Azzurri should have minimal trouble sweeping Moldova aside given the gulf in quality between the nations but it will serve as little consolation for the departing manager.

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina admits Italy’s 3-0 loss against Norway was unacceptable: ‘We were not prepared to face an opponent like this.’Italy are preparing for the second World Cup

Italy has another issue in defense before facing Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday in a World Cup qualifier.

(Reuters) -After a quarter of a century of near misses and heartbreak, Norway’s rout of Italy in their World Cup qualifier has reignited the country's hope of a return to international football’s biggest stage.

The Norwegians flattened the Italians 3-0 in Oslo to move closer to ending their near-three-decade wait for a return to the World Cup.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti on Wednesday called up Daniele Rugani to his squad for the national team's first two 2026 World Cup qualifiers to replace AC Milan centre back Matteo Gabbia, who suffered a muscle injury in training in Tuesday.