Italy boast an impressive track record with 15 FIFA World Cup appearances to date and three time winners. Their first was in 1934 by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time in a hard-fought final. The second in 1938. They defeated Hungary with 4-2. In 1982 world cup in Spain, they proved too strong for Germany.

Italy is known for producing world-renowned players like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Gianni Rivera, Dino Zoff who are known till date as storehouses of talent. The Star Man this time is Luca Toni.

The team will be playing in Group E along with Czech Republic, Ghana and USA. In the Qualifying matches for Germany 2006, Italy played ten matches, out of which it won 7 matches and drew 2.