Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has urged FIFA to review the current World Cup qualification structure, warning that Europe’s tougher route is leaving top teams at risk of missing football’s biggest stage. His remarks come as the Azzurri stare at the possibility of failing to qualify for a third successive World Cup.
Italy head into Sunday’s clash with Norway needing a near-impossible win by nine clear goals to top Group I. Despite Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Moldova — their sixth win in seven games — Norway remain ahead with a perfect run of seven straight wins, including their dominant 3-0 triumph over Italy that widened the goal-difference gap.
The four-time world champions, ranked ninth globally, previously missed the 2018 and 2022 editions after crushing playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia. With another playoff looming, Gattuso said the rules have shifted against European sides.
“In my day, the best runners-up went straight to the World Cup, now the rules have changed,” he told ESPN. “To change the rules, you need to tell those who organize these tournaments.”
Gattuso highlighted the expansion of Africa’s slots as part of the wider global restructuring. “In 1990 and 1994, there were two African teams — three qualified in 1994 — now there are nine. It’s not a controversy, but there are difficulties, and we know it well,” he said.
He also compared Europe’s path to South America’s more forgiving format, where only three teams now risk missing out entirely. “If we look at South America, where six out of ten teams go directly to the World Cup and the seventh heads into a playoff with a team from Oceania, that does give you regrets and a certain sadness. That is the disappointment. The system needs to change in Europe.”
Tensions around the Italian team boiled over in the 88th minute against Moldova, when some travelling fans booed the players for the late goals. Gattuso dismissed the reaction as unfair.
“This is not the time to tell the players to go get a job,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t accept the fans’ jeering. Now we all need to stay united. Deep down, I even thought they could lose this match considering how much we’ve changed due to injuries, but those who came on did well.”
Italy’s final group match now carries enormous weight, with the nation anxiously watching to see whether they secure a direct ticket or fall into another tense playoff battle.
