World Cup Appearances:
15 - 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002
Accomplishments:
-- Champion 1934 FIFA World Cup™ Italy
-- Champion 1938 FIFA World Cup™ France
-- 2nd 1970 FIFA World Cup™ Mexico
-- 4th 1978 FIFA World Cup™ Argentina
-- Champion 1982 FIFA World Cup™ Spain
-- 3rd 1990 FIFA World Cup™ Italy
-- 2nd 1994 FIFA World Cup™ USA
-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup™ France
-- Champion UEFA European Championship Italy 1968
-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1980
-- 3rd UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium - The Netherlands 2000
-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1936
Star Players:
Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri, Alessandro Del Piero, Filippo Inzaghi, Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini
Approximate Odds of Winning:
6-1
AskMen's Rating of Team:
(out of 100)
90
Significant Strength:
Defense. The fundamental strength of the "Azzurri," Italy gave up a stingy three goals in eight matches in the build-up to the World Cup.
Significant Weakness:
Showing up in big games. Despite high expectations, Italy has not won a World Cup since 1982 in Spain. That is an awful lot of crossbars, missed shots and bitter memories.
AskMen's Prediction:
The defense is too strong to ignore this team, which will easily win Group G.
ITALY
