Despite their struggles to get to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Italy will no doubt be the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy. Italy are among the top teams in international football and the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles ? just one fewer than Brazil.

The Azzurri won their fourth World Cup trophy in Germany 2006 where they beat France in the final. This makes them the defending champions going into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In the semifinal of the 2006 World Cup, Italy beat host country Germany 2-0 with the two goals coming in the last two minutes of extra time. Fabio Grosso scored substitute striker Alessandro Del Piero scored the winning goals for the Azzuri.

In the final, Italy then defeated their long-time rivals France 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. This match, which was legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane's last match for France, will always be remembered for the red card given to Zidane after head butting Materazzi, following a verbal exchange with the Italian defender; the two players were eventually fined by FIFA for this incident. There is no denying the fact that Italy will once again be amongst the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup.

Coach: Marcelo Lippi

Back for his second stint as the Italian coach, Marcelo Lippi will be once again be handed the task of defending the title he won with Italy in Germany 2006. Lippi stepped down as the Italian coach after winning the World Cup, but was re-appointed in 2008 after the disappointing performance in Euro 2008 under manager Roberto Donadoni.

Captain: Fabio Cannavaro

The hard-tackling Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has shown time and again that age is nothing, but a number in football. He has kept the Italian defence in shape and in the process making it the most difficult defence to penetrate in the entire world. Italy will once again rely on him to marshal their defence as they try to emulate the Class of 2006.

Star players: Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo