France

The world cup remained in Europe in 1938, much to the displeasure of the South American nations. Hosted by France, it was once again Italy who lifted the trophy. The Italy national football team began with an extra-time win over Norway. In the quarter final they beat the hosts France and then Brazil in the semi-final. In an exciting final, Italy beat Hungary 4-2 to make it two wins from two world cups.

Brazil 

Due to the war there was not another world cup until 1950. Held in Brazil, the tournament was won by another South American team Uruguay. Group stages were in vogue, so as defending champions the side needed to finish top to progress to the final stages. It was not to be for the Italy national football team, as they beat Paraguay but lost to group winners Sweden to finish runners-up.

Switzerland 

Hosted by Switzerland, the world cup in 1954 was won by West Germany. Hoping to progress beyond the group stage this time, Italy were drawn alongside the hosts, as well as England and Belgium. They lost to Switzerland in the first game but beat Belgium to go into a play-off for second spot in the group and qualification. They once again played Switzerland and once again lost, to exit the tournament.

Chile

After failing to qualify in 1958, the Italy national football team went to Chile for the 1962 edition. Brazil won the tournament, making it their second title in a row. Things didn’t improve for Italy. After a draw with West Germany and a loss to hosts Chile, the side were already eliminated when they beat Switzerland to finish.

England

Held in England the 1966 tournament was won by it’s hosts. The Italy national football team could not break their group stage run. Although the team beat Chile in their opening game, gaining revenge for 1962, two losses against the Soviet Union, and more embarrassingly, North Korea, saw the side on their way home once again.

Mexico

The world cup in 1970 was held in Mexico. The final was contested between the Italy national football team and Brazil. It was the first time that two former champions had met in the final of a world cup. Italy begun the tournament with a win and two draws to finally make it out of the group stage. It was the first time since they won it in 1938. Despite topping their group the team managed only one goal against Sweden. In the quarter final the team found their scoring touch. Despite conceding the first goal they beat hosts Mexico 4-1. The semi-final was a titanic encounter with West Germany. After conceding a 90th minute equaliser to the Germans, there were five goals in extra time. The game eventually ended 4-3 to the Italians. In the final they quite simply came up against one of the best teams in history. A 4-1 loss saw the side finish runners-up.

West Germany

West Germany were the hosts in 1974, and it was they who went on to lift the world cup. Despite their highs in the last tournament the Italy national football team again slumped to a group stage exit. An opening game win against Haiti and a draw with Argentina left the side in good shape. A defeat to Poland in their final game however left Italy in third and on their way home.

Argentina

The 1978 world cup was again won by it’s hosts. Argentina won the tournament after beating the Netherlands in the final. The Italy national football team looked strong in a difficult group. They won all three games against France, Hungary and Argentina. At this time there was a second group stage. A win, a loss and a draw here saw the side into second place, and put them into the third place play-off. This they lost 2-1 to Brazil to finish fourth.

Spain

In 1982 the Italy national football team built on their fourth place four years previously to win the tournament. Held in Spain, Italy beat West Germany in the final. The group didn’t hint at any thing special for the team. Three draws with Poland, Peru and Cameroon squeezed the side through in second place. Their second group was as tough as it could get. Wins against Argentina and Brazil put the side into a semi-final with Poland. This time Italy defeated Poland and went on to record a 3-1 win over West Germany in the final for their third world cup.

Mexico

The world cup returned to Mexico in 1986. The tournament was won by Argentina. The Italy national football team played the eventual winners in their group and managed a 1-1 draw with them. Another draw and a win over South Korea saw the team through in second place. The last 16 was where it ended for the defending champions. A 2-0 loss to France cemented a disappointing performance compared to four years previously.

Italy

Italy were hosts for the second time in their history in 1990. The tournament was eventually won by West Germany. The Italy national football team started well with three wins from three group games to finish top. In the last 16 Italy overcame Uruguay 2-0 to progress onto the quarter finals. A 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland sent the team on to face Argentina. In a tight and tense game the two sides could not be separated. 1-1 after extra time, it was the South Americans who prevailed 4-3 on penalties. Italy beat England 2-1 in the third place play-off.

United States

The United States hosted the world cup in 1994. The Italy national football team made it all the way to the final, but as in 1970, were beaten by Brazil. In one of the tightest groups in world cup history, all four teams finished with four points. Italy finished third in the group with an identical record as second placed Republic of Ireland, but managed to progress. A nervous extra-time win over Nigeria followed but it was in the quarter final where Italy, and Roberto Baggio, came to the party. An 88th minute winner saw them to a 2-1 win over Spain. In the semi-final two more Baggio goals saw off Bulgaria 2-1. The final was a battle to get to four world cups. Brazil prevailed after a tight final, 3-2 on penalties.

France

1998 saw hosts France win their first ever world cup. The Italy national football team comfortably topped their group. An opening fixture draw with Chile was followed up with two wins against Cameroon and Austria. One goal in the last 16 was enough to see off Norway but it was the in the quarter final where things ended. Facing the hosts the game went all the way to penalties, where France triumphed 4-3.

Japan and South Korea

The world cup visited Asia for the first time ever in 2002. Hosted by Japan and South Korea, the tournament was won for a record fifth time by Brazil. The Italy national football team made hard work of their group but did manage to progress in second place. A win against Ecuador, was followed up by a loss to Croatia and a nervous draw with Mexico. In a contentious last 16 tie things went against Italy. In a game against South Korea many refereeing decisions seemed to go against the side. To compound this, a golden-goal in extra time put Italy out of the tournament, losing the game 2-1.

Germany

If things went against the Italy national football team in 2002, things improved dramatically in 2006. Hosted by Germany, it was Italy who lifted the trophy for a fourth time. The side performed well in the group stage. Two wins and a draw saw them top the group above Ghana. A very late penalty in the last 16 saw them beat Australia 1-0. Things were much more comfortable in the quarter-final where Italy beat Ukraine 3-0 to move onto the semi-finals. The team once again left it extremely late against Germany. 0-0 after 90 minutes, two goals at the end of extra time advance the team onto the final. The final will be remembered for the head-butt by Zidane. Eventually, after a 1-1 draw, Italy triumphed 5-3 on penalties over France for their last world cup win to date.

South Africa

The world cup in 2010 visited Africa for the first time. Hosted by South Africa, the tournament was won for the first time by Spain. As defending champions expectations were high for the Italy national football team. The team were to exit the tournament however, having not won a game and finishing bottom of their group. 1-1 draws with Paraguay and New Zealand, was followed by a 3-2 loss to Slovakia.

Brazil

In 2014 the world cup was held in Brazil and won by Germany, who became the first European team to win the tournament in South America. Looking to improve from 2010 the Italy national football team started well by beating England 2-1. That was as good as it got for the side. A surprise 1-0 loss to Costa Rica was followed by another 1-0 defeat, this time to Uruguay. They finished third in the group and were again eliminated in the group phase.

Russia

The Italy national football team have been drawn in Group G alongside Spain, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, and Liechtenstein.