World Cup 2010: Teams – Italy
The Italian national football team have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Italy is currently ranked at #4 on the FIFA rankings. The country will be playing in their 17th World Cup Tournament in history in 2010. Italy have won the FIFA World Cup 4 times, in 1934 (In Italy), 1938 (In France), 1982 (In Spain) and 2006 (In Germany). Italy will be looking to win their 5th title next year. Italy have played in 7 European Championships as well. They have one European Championship title on their belt (they won the competition in 1968). Italy have been runners-up twice in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The first time in 1970 (In Mexico) and the 2nd time in 1994 (In the United States). Earlier in 2009 Italy played in their first ever FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. They were knocked out in the first round. Marcello Lippi is the current coach of the Italian National Football team (since 2008). The current Italian national football team captain, Fabio Cannavaro is also the most capped player in Italian football history. He’s played in 130 matches for his country since 1997. Luigi Riva is top goal scoring Italian footballer in history. He scored 35 goals in 42 matches between 1965 and 1974 (almost averaging a goal a match). I had the privilege of watching Italy take on the United States in a FIFA Confederations Cup match at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria earlier this year. They won the match by 3 goals to 1. They’re still one of the favorites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in my opinion.
