- A Squad Built on Defence and Determination
- Key Players of the 2006 Italy World Cup Squad
- 2006 Italy World Cup Squad: Match-by-Match Breakdown
- The Zidane Incident
- Squad List and Player Positions
- Why the 2006 Italy World Cup Squad: Still Matters
- Fun Facts About the 2006 Squad
- Legacy and What Happened After
- Final Thoughts
The 2006 Italy World Cup Squad is one of the most iconic football teams in history. Italy won their fourth FIFA World Cup in Germany, overcoming a tough path filled with drama, skill, and unity.
This article examines the players, matches, and key moments that contributed to their victory. If you love football history or are looking to understand how Italy conquered the world stage, this detailed guide is for you.
A Squad Built on Defence and Determination
Italy’s 2006 squad was famous for its rock-solid defence. With experienced players like Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, and Marco Materazzi, Italy created an almost impenetrable wall. They conceded only two goals in the entire tournament. One was an own goal, and the other was a penalty.
Marcello Lippi, the head coach, brought together a perfect balance of youth and experience. His leadership and tactical vision helped Italy succeed where many thought it might fail. His team remained united under pressure, which proved crucial to their success.
Key Players of the 2006 Italy World Cup Squad
Italy’s strength came from teamwork, but a few players stood out. Here are some of the stars who played key roles:
Gianluigi Buffon
As goalkeeper, Buffon was outstanding. He made crucial saves in nearly every match. His performance earned him the Yashin Award for best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Fabio Cannavaro
The captain led by example. His defensive brilliance won him the FIFA World Player of the Year award later that year — a rare achievement for a defender.
Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo controlled the midfield with his calm style. His passing and vision helped Italy dominate possession and create chances.
Francesco Totti
Returning from injury, Totti played with heart. He scored important penalties and added flair to Italy’s attack.
Marco Materazzi
Materazzi scored in the final and also played a key role throughout the tournament. Though involved in controversy, his impact was undeniable.
👉 Related: 2002 Brazil World Cup Squad
2006 Italy World Cup Squad: Match-by-Match Breakdown
Let’s take a closer look at Italy’s road to glory.
Group Stage
- Italy 2-0 Ghana: Goals from Pirlo and Iaquinta gave Italy a strong start.
- Italy 1-1 USA: A tough match that saw Italy down to ten men.
- Italy 2-0 Czech Republic: Italy topped the group with confidence.
Round of 16
- Italy 1-0 Australia: Totti’s late penalty sealed a dramatic win.
Quarter-Final
- Italy 3-0 Ukraine: A strong performance with a brace from Luca Toni.
Semi-Final
- Italy 2-0 Germany (AET): In one of the greatest World Cup matches ever, Italy scored twice in extra time.
Final
- Italy 1-1 France (5-3 pens): After a tense match, Italy triumphed in penalties. Fabio Grosso scored the winning kick.
The Zidane Incident
The final is also remembered for a shocking moment. France’s Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Materazzi. It was his last ever professional match. Despite the drama, Italy stayed calm and focused. That discipline led them to victory.
Squad List and Player Positions
Here’s the full 23-man squad for Italy’s 2006 World Cup:
Goalkeepers
- Gianluigi Buffon
- Angelo Peruzzi
- Marco Amelia
Defenders
- Fabio Cannavaro (Captain)
- Marco Materazzi
- Alessandro Nesta
- Gianluca Zambrotta
- Cristian Zaccardo
- Andrea Barzagli
- Massimo Oddo
- Fabio Grosso
Midfielders
- Andrea Pirlo
- Gennaro Gattuso
- Simone Perrotta
- Daniele De Rossi
- Mauro Camoranesi
- Simone Barone
Forwards
- Francesco Totti
- Luca Toni
- Alessandro Del Piero
- Filippo Inzaghi
- Vincenzo Iaquinta
This mix of players gave Italy a perfect blend of defence, creativity, and attacking power.
👉 Related: The Untold Glory of the France 1998 World Cup Squad
Why the 2006 Italy World Cup Squad: Still Matters
The 2006 Italy World Cup Squad became more than just winners. They gave hope to a country recovering from a football scandal. The Calciopoli scandal had hit Serie A hard just before the tournament. But the team stayed focused and united. Their victory helped restore pride to Italian football.
Today, this squad is still admired. Coaches and players study their style. Fans remember their passion. And young players dream of matching their success.
Fun Facts About the 2006 Squad
- Buffon only conceded two goals in seven matches.
- Cannavaro didn’t commit a single foul in the semi-final or final.
- Del Piero scored a crucial goal in the semi-final after coming off the bench.
- Italy won the final despite having less possession.
- Four players from the squad went on to manage clubs or national teams.
Legacy and What Happened After
After 2006, many players retired or moved into coaching. Cannavaro, for example, became a manager in Asia. Pirlo tried coaching Juventus. Buffon continued playing for many years, even into his 40s.
Italy struggled in some later tournaments, but the 2006 squad remains a bright light in their football history.
You can explore FIFA’s official 2006 World Cup archive to relive the moments.
Final Thoughts
The 2006 Italy World Cup Squad remains a shining moment in football history. Their journey showed the power of unity, resilience, and smart football. For fans around the world, their story is both inspiring and unforgettable.
Whether you’re revisiting history or discovering it for the first time, this squad deserves your attention. Their triumph is a reminder that in football, anything is possible with the right mix of passion, teamwork, and belief.
👉 Related: The 1994 Brazil World Cup Squad: Champions Who Redefined Football