Italy at the FIFA World Cup Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is one of only three players who have been part of five FIFA World Cup squads. Two Italians were awarded the Golden Boot for best goalscorer at a FIFA World Cup: Paolo Rossi in 1982 and Salvatore Schillaci in 1990 with 6 goals each. Golden Ball award Golden Boot award Other individual awards Three World Cup finals have been officiated by representatives of the Italian football federation, only English referees have had the honour more often (four times). The 1978 final between Argentina and the Netherlands has been led by Sergio Gonella, who had already officiated the
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8 an average 2.56 goals per game. 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8 The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 8 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro. The group was won by Italy, who qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The runners-up the Republic of Ireland entered the UEFA play-off stage. The representatives of the six federations met in Sofia, Bulgaria on 15 January 2008 to decide on a fixture calendar. There were 77