Gattuso Calls for FIFA Reform in World Cup Qualification Process

Italy’s head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has urged FIFA to reevaluate the qualification process for the World Cup, following the predicament of the four-time champions who must secure a 9-0 victory against Norway to avoid entering the European playoffs for the third consecutive qualifying cycle.

The Azzurri achieved their sixth win in seven matches in Group I with a 2-0 success over Moldova in Chisinau on Thursday. However, with Norway leading the group on a seven-match winning streak, including a previous 3-0 triumph over Italy, the national team faces an uphill battle to qualify for the 2026 World Cup due to Norway’s significantly superior goal difference.

Currently ranked ninth in the FIFA world rankings, Italy missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after playoff defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively. FIFA allocates 16 qualification spots to Europe for the upcoming 48-team World Cup, and with the playoffs approaching, Gattuso contends that reforms are essential to ensure a fairer process.

“In my day, the best group runners-up went straight to the World Cup, but the rules have changed,” Gattuso stated. “To amend the rules, we need to engage with those who organize these tournaments.

“Regarding Italy’s record of six wins in qualification? That question should be directed at those responsible for creating the groups and the regulations.

“In 1990 and 1994, only two African teams qualified [three in 1994], whereas now there are nine. This isn’t a controversy, but it presents challenges that we are all too aware of.

“When we examine South America, where six out of ten teams qualify directly for the World Cup and the seventh team enters a playoff against an Oceania team, it indeed elicits feelings of regret and disappointment.

“That is the crux of the issue. The system in Europe requires reform.”

In Moldova, Italy’s players faced boos and negative chants from a contingent of 400 traveling supporters after it took them 88 minutes to score against the underdog team.

Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti in June following a poor start to the campaign against Norway, responded to the fans’ treatment of his players.

“Now is not the time to suggest to the players that they should find other employment,” he remarked. “I firmly reject the fans’ jeering.

“We must all remain united at this juncture. Deep down, I even considered the possibility of losing this match given our numerous injuries, but those who stepped in performed admirably.”