Milan, Italy โฃ- Following a surprising 4-1 defeat to Norway in their final 2026 World Cup qualifying match, Italian national โขteam coach Gennaro Gattuso delivered โขa rousing, if unconventional,โ messageโข to his players inโ the โdressing room, โคseeking to bolster their confidence ahead of a โcrucial playoff run.
Despite theโค disappointingโฃ result, which forces Italy into the World โขCup playoffs for the third consecutive qualification โฃcycle-havingโ previously missed out โin 2018โ and 2022-Gattuso opted โfor encouragement over criticism. According to โข La Gazzetta dello Sport and reported by Football Italia โฃon Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Gattuso directlyโ addressed his squad, asking, “We are โstrong,โฃ you are strong.Will you convince โฃyourself?”
The emphasis on self-belief comes as Italy facesโค the โฃloomingโ possibility of missing a โthird straight World Cup. Gattuso acknowledged โคthe psychological hurdle โขfacing his team, recognizing a potential โdisconnect โbetween their physical capabilities and mental state. “You have to be sure,” he reportedly continued, urging his players to regain conviction.
Italy is seeded in Pot 1 for โthe playoff semifinals, โscheduled for โMarchโฃ 26,โ 2026, and will face โขone of Romania, Northern Ireland, Sweden, or North Macedonia. A victory โin โthe semifinalsโ would advance them to the playoff final fiveโ days later.
