It’s been 40 years since Hungary last qualified for a FIFA World Cup™. But coach Marco Rossi is on a mission to change that. As he leads the Magyars into the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the Italian-born tactician has both a footballing legacy and a personal dream fueling his campaign.
🇭🇺 Hungary’s World Cup Hiatus: A 40-Year Wait
Hungary’s last taste of World Cup football came in Mexico 1986. At that time, Freddie Mercury was still touring with Queen, and Top Gun was soaring at the box office. But since then, while icons have returned to the spotlight, Hungary’s football team has remained in the shadows of international football’s biggest stage.
Rossi is determined to bring the Magyars back into the spotlight. “It’s my dream,” he told FIFA. “It would be the most important achievement of my career.”
⚽ A Nation Rich in Footballing Pedigree
To the untrained eye, Hungary may seem like an underdog. But historically, they were European football royalty. Finalists in the 1938 FIFA World Cup and arguably the best team in the world during the 1950s, the ‘Golden Team’ led by Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis took the world by storm.
- 🏆 Olympic gold medals: 1952, 1964, 1968
- ⚽ 6-3 historic win over England at Wembley (1953)
- 🎯 Record 27 goals at the 1954 World Cup
“My grandfather was a huge fan of the golden era,” Rossi recalled. “Leading this national team gives me a special kind of pride.”
🧠 Marco Rossi’s Impact: From Underdogs to Contenders
Since his appointment in 2018, Rossi has transformed Hungary’s fortunes:
- ⬆️ Climbed 15 places in the FIFA Rankings
- 📈 Qualified for UEFA EURO 2020 and EURO 2024
- 💪 Famous wins over England (4-0 in Wolverhampton) and Germany (1-0 in Leipzig)
“I feel half-Hungarian now,” Rossi said. “I would really like to achieve qualification — not for me, but for the country.”
🛤️ The Road to 2026: A Group of Grit
Hungary’s 2026 World Cup qualifying group includes Portugal, Republic of Ireland, and Armenia. Rossi is realistic but hopeful:
“Portugal are on another level. The fight for second will be between us and Ireland. But we must not underestimate Armenia either.”
📜 Leaving a Legacy
Rossi may already have left a permanent mark by guiding Hungary to three straight EURO tournaments — a first in their history. But a return to the World Cup would be a monumental achievement that cements his place among Hungarian football greats.
“I want to leave a sign of my presence on the bench,” Rossi said. If he leads Hungary to a tenth World Cup appearance in 2026, that sign will be etched in gold.
Category: World Cup Qualifiers, European Football, Hungary National Team
Tags: Marco Rossi, Hungary national team, FIFA World Cup 2026, Ferenc Puskas, Golden Team, UEFA EURO 2024, World Cup qualification
