The failure of the Italian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers sparked a sharp reaction in the country’s sports policy. In response to this situation, Sports Minister Andrea Abodi issued a public statement, emphasizing the need for a complete reform of Italian football.
It should be recalled that Gennaro Gattuso’s players, in the decisive match, missed their opportunity against Bosnia and Herzegovina and, for the third consecutive time, were left out of the World Cup.
According to Abodi, football in Italy is not just a sport but an important part of culture and international prestige. For this reason, he said, it is necessary to rebuild the system through a change of personnel in the FIGC leadership.
“Italian football needs a fundamental restructuring, and this process should begin with a personnel change in the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) leadership. Football is not just a sport, especially in Italy; it is a part of our culture and a symbol of international reputation. Thinking that a whole generation of children and youth is growing up without ever seeing their national team play at the World Cup is very sad,” said Abodi.
The minister also noted that during periods of economic and military crises, football should serve as a social ritual and a source of joy for the population, but consecutive defeats have deprived it of this opportunity.
As a result, the pressure on the leadership of the Italian Football Federation has reached a state level, and the fate of the federation president Gabriele Gravina is also under serious question.
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