Gattuso criticises the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification system

I taly faces another decisive chapter in its complicated qualification phase for the 2026 World Cup . Gennaro Gattuso's side need a real miracle: to beat Moldova away and hope that Norway , the group leader with a perfect score, drops points at home to Estonia.

The scenario, however, seems practically impossible. Therefore, in Italy they already assume that they will have to play a double elimination play-off, their third in a row, to try to return to a World Cup after more than a decade of absence

Gattuso criticises the qualifying system: "It's unfair for Europe"

Despite the tension over the possible playoff, Gattuso again expressed his displeasure with the World Cup qualifying format , which he considers to be unbalanced between the different confederations.

"No regrets (for playing the play-off). Winning helps winning, but we need to understand the criteria well," said the Italian coach.

We've talked about it before, but to see South American groups with 10 teams , of which six qualify and the seventh goes to a playoff against Oceania... the biggest regret is that: not qualifying directly. We definitely need to review the criteria ," insisted the former midfielder.

Gattuso also called for unity and a sense of belonging within the group , stressing that Italian football needs to reconnect with the fans.

"We want people to fall in love again. That love for the shirt and that desire must never be lacking. I feel it in the fans when I walk around the stadiums, and our players must feel it too," added the coach, determined to return Italy to the world elite. "

More than ten years of World Cup absence

Italy has not participated in a World Cup since Brazil 2014 , following failures in the qualifiers for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. The possibility of missing out for a third consecutive time would be a huge blow for a historic team that has four World Cup titles , but in the last decade has failed to rediscover its former greatness.

Italy's World Cup dream depends on Moldova, but the real miracle will depend on what happens in Oslo, where Norway must drop points against an Estonia side with no aspirations.