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Updated on August 1st 2025, 7:29:14 am

2006 FIFA World Cup winners - Where are they now?

2006 FIFA World Cup winners

Relive Italy's 2006 World Cup glory and discover what the legendary squad members are doing now—players, coaches, and more.

It was in 2006 that Italy finally ended their 24-year wait for a World Cup, defeating France on penalties in the championship match to win the trophy for the fourth time in the country's history. In order to achieve their historic victory, the Azzurri, under the famous Marcelo Lippi, demonstrated the traditional catenaccio style while putting in brilliant defensive efforts. But, the majority of players aren't involved in or playing the game right now.

 

Italy easily defeated Ukraine, 3-0, in their quarterfinal matchup. The host nation, Germany, was the opponent in Italy's semifinal contest. After 90 minutes of a hard-contested game, the score remained 0-0. It took extra time to settle the outcome, with Italy prevailing 2-0. France competed against Italy in the championship. Both sides scored one goal apiece in regulation, making it an exciting battle. Italy's equalizer was scored by Marco Materazzi.

 

No.

Position

Player Name

Date of Birth

Where are they now?

1

GK

Gianluigi Buffon

28 Jan 1978

Team Coordinator for Italian Football Team

2

DF

Cristian Zaccardo

21 Dec 1981

Retired in 2019

3

DF

Fabio Grosso

28 Nov 1977

US Sassuolo Calcio Head Coach

4

MF

Daniele De Rossi

24 Jul 1983

Owner and chairman of Italian Serie D club Ostiamare

5

DF

Fabio Cannavaro (c)

13 Sep 1973

Head Coach of Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb

6

DF

Andrea Barzagli

8 May 1981

Part of Italy’s coaching team

7

FW

Alessandro Del Piero

9 Nov 1974

Charity, pundit, businessman

8

MF

Gennaro Gattuso

9 Jan 1978

Head Coach Italian National Football Team

9

FW

Luca Toni

26 May 1977

Coaching License

10

FW

Francesco Totti

27 Sep 1976

Ambassador of Betsson.Sport

11

FW

Alberto Gilardino

5 Jul 1982

Head coach of Serie A club Pisa. 

12

GK

Angelo Peruzzi

16 Feb 1970

Last asst. coach of Sampdoria in 2012

13

DF

Alessandro Nesta

19 Mar 1976

Most recently the head coach of Serie A club Monza

14

GK

Marco Amelia

2 Apr 1982

Current coach in charge of Serie D amateurs Nuova Sondrio.

15

FW

Vincenzo Iaquinta

21 Nov 1979

Sentenced to prison in 2018

16

MF

Mauro Camoranesi

4 Oct 1976

Last coached Maribor in 2021

17

MF

Simone Barone

30 Apr 1978

Last coached Correggese in 2021

18

FW

Filippo Inzaghi

9 Aug 1973

Head coach of Serie B club Palermo.

19

DF

Gianluca Zambrotta

19 Feb 1977

Last coached Jiangsu Suning in 2018

20

MF

Simone Perrotta

17 Sep 1977

Retired in 2013

21

MF

Andrea Pirlo

19 May 1979

Head coach of UAE First Division League club Dubai United

22

DF

Massimo Oddo

14 Jun 1976

Current head coach of Milan Futuro, AC Milan's reserve team

23

DF

Marco Matterazzi

19 Aug 1973

Last coached Chennaiyin FC in 2016

 

However, the victory would not be followed up by a miraculous comeback because the Azzurri had one of their worst World Cups ever in 2010. Despite playing Paraguay, Slovakia, and New Zealand, they were unable to advance past the group stage. They have failed to make a mark in the World Cup ever since, having failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.