2026 World Cup: Gennaro Gattuso can't stomach the format

Italy's head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has slammed the format of the 2026 World Cup, set to take place next summer.

For the third time, Italy will have to go through the playoffs to keep their hopes alive of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup. That is, unless they manage a nine-goal victory or more on Sunday against Norway. But after Thursday's 2-0 win in Moldova, Italian manager Gennaro Gattuso challenged the qualification format.

"In 1994, there were two African teams at the World Cup, now there are eight (actually: three in 1994 and nine in 2026). In my day, the best European runners-up qualified directly for the World Cup," said the former Olympique de Marseille coach at a press conference.

However, only 17% of African teams will go to the next World Cup, compared to 29% of European nations.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.