Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso has called on FIFA to revise the World Cup qualification format after the four-time champions found themselves needing a 9-0 win against Norway on Sunday to avoid entering the European playoffs for the third consecutive qualifying cycle.
The Azzurri secured their sixth win in seven Group I matches with a 2-0 triumph over Moldova in Chisinau on Thursday, but with group leaders Norway unbeaten with seven consecutive wins — including a 3-0 victory against Italy — their significantly better goal difference means Italy must win by nine clear goals against Stale Solbakken’s team in Milan to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Ranked ninth in the FIFA World Rankings, Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively.
FIFA grants 16 qualification spots to Europe for the 48-team World Cup, but with the playoffs once more on the horizon, Gattuso stated that amendments are necessary to promote fairness in the qualification process.
«In my era, the top [group] runners-up went directly to the World Cup, but the regulations have shifted,» Gattuso remarked. «To alter the regulations, one must communicate with those organizing these tournaments.
«Italy’s achievement of six wins [in qualification]? You’d need to consult those responsible for forming the groups and the regulations.
«In 1990 and 1994, there were two African [three qualified in 1994] teams, but now there are nine. This isn’t a controversy, but there are challenges, and we recognize this well.
«Looking at South America, where six out of 10 teams qualify directly for the World Cup and the seventh competes in a playoff with a team from Oceania, that does stir feelings of regret and sadness.
«That is the letdown. The system in Europe requires adjustment.»
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Italian players faced boos and negative chants from 400 traveling fans in Moldova after taking 88 minutes to score against the group underdogs.
Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti in June following a poor start to the campaign against Norway, defended his players against the fans’ criticism.
«Now is not the time to tell the players to look for other jobs,» he stated. «Honestly, I cannot condone the fans’ booing.
«We all need to unite. Deep down, I even thought they could lose this match given the extent of our changes [due to injuries], but those who stepped in performed admirably.»
