Francesco Pio Esposito scores for Italy against Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
There will be no Italy training camp taking place in February, just a month before a World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland, prompting Corriere della Sera to claim that Serie A clubs, coaches and even Italian TV networks don’t care about the Azzurri.
Corriere della Sera has reported that Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will have just two days available to prepare for a World Cup play-off semifinal in March 2026, as the FIGC and Lega Serie A could not agree on moving some domestic games in the first week of February, which would have given the Azzurri two extra days of work in February.
Italy national team ‘ not a primary asset of our football system’
The news came with a brief comment from journalist Alessandro Bocci.
“The training camp won’t take place, but the real question is another,” wrote the journalist.
“Who actually cares about the good of Italy, which cannot afford to fail its bid for a third consecutive World Cup? The national team is treated like a lesser child, not a primary asset of our football system.
‘Everyone looks after their own little patch’
“In times of hardship, financial and scheduling, everyone looks after their own little patch. The clubs, their coaches and even the TV networks that defend the slots they have dearly paid for. FIFA and UEFA have crammed the fixture list, putting the system under strain. We only notice Italy when they lose or fail to reach a goal. If nobody takes responsibility for the problem, the situation can only get worse.”
Italy will meet Northern Ireland at home in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26, while the potential Final is away against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
