Gattuso calls for changes in World Cup qualification after Italy’s stumble
The Italian coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has spoken out, urging FIFA to reconsider the World Cup qualifying process. The request comes after the complicated situation facing the four-time world champion team, which is forced to seek a 9-0 victory against Norway to avoid the European playoffs for the third consecutive time.Despite securing their sixth victory in seven Group I matches, with a 2-0 triumph over Moldova in Chisinau, Norway’s outstanding performance, as group leader, complicates the situation. The Norwegians, with seven consecutive victories, including a 3-0 win over Italy, have a goal difference advantage over the Italians. This means that Italy must beat Norway by a nine-goal difference in Milan to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
Italy, currently in ninth place in the FIFA ranking, failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, after falling in the playoffs against Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively. With Europe having 16 spots for the 48-team World Cup, and facing the possibility of facing the playoffs again, Gattuso emphasizes the need to modify the qualifying system to ensure greater fairness.
The coach also criticized the treatment of the Italian fans towards the players during the match against Moldova, where the Italians took 88 minutes to score the first goal. Gattuso, who took over in June after the initial defeat against Norway, defended his players: “This is not the time to tell the players to look for another job. Honestly, I do not accept the boos from the fans. Now we must all be united. Deep down, I even thought they could lose this match, considering how much we have changed [due to injuries], but those who came in did well.”The system needs to change in Europe.
Gennaro Gattuso
