As the 2026 World Cup looms on the horizon, the conversation in Italy has shifted from the usual domestic drama to a far more tantalising prospect. Wh...
As the 2026 World Cup looms on the horizon, the conversation in Italy has shifted from the usual domestic drama to a far more tantalising prospect. Which of Serie A's glittering array of international stars has the tactical armoury and the resilience to go all the way in North America The question is not merely academic; it cuts to the heart of why we love this game. Can the league that gave us Cannavaro, Zidane, and Ronaldo produce the next global iconThe answer, as ever, is a matter of nuance. We have a handful of genuine contenders. Look at the Argentine contingent at Inter Milan. Lautaro Martinez, with his snarling press and clinical finishing, is a man transformed. He has the heartbeat of a champion and, crucially, the protective shield of a team that plays with a low block that can suffocate the life out of any opponent. But can El Toro replicate his explosive form on the international stage when the tournament enters squeaky bum time That is the million euro question.Then there is the Belgian axis, still dotted across the peninsula. Romelu Lukaku's Napoli renaissance has been nothing short of impressive, yet the Red Devils have an awful habit of bottling it when the pressure peaks. They lack the defensive spine that Italy, for example, possesses in abundance. For Gianluigi Donnarumma, now at PSG, the challenge is different. He is the only Italian who can make the final. But can the Azzurri, with their tactical flexibility but lack of a killer up top, actually survive the mixer of a knockout tie against Brazil or France It feels like a stretch.The real dark horses Look to the African contingent. Victor Osimhen, should he stay in Serie A, carries Nigeria on his shoulders. His pace off the shoulder of the last defender is terrifying, and his ability to score from nothing gives his nation a puncher's chance. But history tells us that African sides often struggle with the tournament's length. Depth is a luxury, not a given.Ultimately, the smart money remains on a South American winner, and that points directly to the Serie A heavyweights in the Argentina camp. Lautaro's movement and work rate alongside Messi could be the defining partnership of the tournament. If he stays fit and hungry, do not be surprised if the Scudetto winner becomes the World Cup winner. The stars are aligning. The question is, who has the nerve to grab the moment
