Gravina sets Italy World Cup target: ‘Spalletti must start again’

Rome: FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has said that Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti needs to ‘start again’ after a disappointing outcome at EURO 2024 this summer, and has insisted that the Azzurri ‘must’ be among the top seeds at the 2026 World Cup.

The Association President gave an interview to Radio Rai on Monday, ahead of Luciano Spalletti’s upcoming press conference at Coverciano.

The Italy national team will congregate for the first time since the EUROs this week, and will have their first matches since that tournament against France and Israel in the Nations League on Friday and next Monday respectively.

Speaking about the team’s fortunes, Gravina said that the coach and players have to go again after a tough summer in Germany. He also set the team a new target for the upcoming qualifying campaign. 

“We are starting again from a big tournament, we have to be aware that Italy must be a top seed at the World Cup. The Nations League is a two-year journey as well.”

Gravina also said that Italy have assessed and learned from their mistakes at EURO 2024, and believes that togetherness wil help the team overcome their recent misfortunes.

“Spalletti has to start again with the group, with the awareness of having had a disappointing performance against Switzerland. We made mistakes, we analysed them together with the coach, we have to improve, together.

“This is achieved by being humble and united, being a real team and rebuilding trust within the group and with the fans.”