FIGC President Gabriele Gravina says he received’t be compelled to resign if Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup and discusses a brand new undertaking that may prioritise ‘method’ over ways at a youth stage.
Gravina insists he received’t essentially contemplate resignation if Italy fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
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The Azzurri will face Northern Eire within the semifinal play-off in March subsequent 12 months and can meet Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina within the last in the event that they progress.
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Gabriele Gravina president of FIGC throughout the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Pictures)
Requested by whether or not he’d resign if the Azzurri fail to qualify for the World Cup as soon as once more, he replied: “No rule forces me to step apart.
“I’d definitely do some private soul-searching, however to those that inform me ‘get an actual job’, I reply: If I depart, does soccer restart, and will we win the World Cup? If I had that certainty, I’d be the primary to step down.”
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Gravina, nonetheless, is assured the Azzurri will attain their goal.
“Sure, I base that on concrete, actual, goal components, like the trail that introduced us right here, setting apart the second half in opposition to Norway,” he famous.
“Pessimism makes us waste power; spreading it doesn’t assist. The aim is inside attain. Let’s roll up our sleeves and commit collectively, I imply, everybody.”
Lack of choices in Serie A for Italy
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, points directions throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Italian soccer points are additionally tied to the dearth of choices in Serie A.
“We have now 97 eligible gamers, 25% of the overall, 97 throughout 20 Serie A golf equipment. Do you realise what it means?” stated Gravina.
The FIGC President stated as soon as extra that it’s not attainable to impose a regulation on a minimal variety of Italian gamers.
“It’s unattainable, the federation can solely intervene concerning non-EU gamers, because it already has, respecting the quotes set by the Bossi-Fini regulation,” he stated.
“Limiting the variety of gamers coming from the EU violates European guidelines that, for the reason that Bosman ruling, assure free motion for footballers. Betting on Italians can’t be an obligation, but it surely should come as a pure inclination. Mixed with funding within the youth sectors and infrastructure.
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“Our long-term planning has been underway since 2018. Within the meantime, we turned European champions on the U17 and U19 ranges and U20 World Cup runners-up. Now we’re launching a undertaking for primary actions from 5 to 13 years previous with two World Cup winners, Perrotta and Zambrotta, collectively in a grasp with Prandelli. We wish to put off the concept of a way centered solely on ways,” continued Gravina.
The subsequent step for the federation will probably be to focus “much less ways and extra method, that’s the aim,” insisted the FIGC President.
“We have to free creativity. Children get bored, they wish to play and the coaches are likely to lure them in tactical schemes at a really younger age. We have to create educators.
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“Anybody who’s centered on outcomes solely can’t work in grassroots soccer. It could be totally different if the youngsters had been entrusted to coaching specialists.”
Lastly, Gravina replied to a query on whether or not Serie A golf equipment are appearing as ‘enemies’ of the Italy nationwide crew: “Objectively, they’re, even when unintentionally. Each membership appears to be like out for its personal curiosity.”