Italy are four-time world champions, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. They have competed in the final stages on 18 occasions.
The Azzurri are the only nation to have appeared in two World Cup finals that have been decided on penalties; losing to Brazil in 1994 before beating France in 2006.
Seven players — Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Francesco Totti and Luca Toni — were named in the 23-man tournament All Star Team, for the 2006 World Cup.
Captain Fabio Cannavaro was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006, becoming the oldest ever recipient at the age of 32. Playmaker Andrea Pirlo was named man of the match in three of Italy’s matches at the 2006 tournament, including the World Cup Final.
Francesco Totti played in all seven matches on German soil, despite having a metal plate in his ankle following surgery in the build-up to the competition.
All of the Italian World Cup heroes of 2006 were awarded knighthoods to mark their incredible achievement in landing the nation’s fourth success.