Gattuso demands ‘maximum commitment’ as Italy’s World Cup hopes hang in balance

ROME: Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso on Monday urged his players to show “maximum commitment” as the Azzurri’s chances of qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup are no longer in their control.

Italy face Moldova away on Thursday before hosting group leaders Norway in Milan on Sunday. The Azzurri sit second in Group I, three points behind the Norwegians.

“This won’t be an easy trip. I want to see maximum commitment to continue what we began in September,” Gattuso said at a pre-match press conference. He confirmed that several fringe players will be tested against Moldova but stressed the team must “focus on ourselves, not on what Norway do.”

He added that Moldova is the “most important match,” noting that Norway would be “easier to prepare for,” but warned that the Norwegians’ speed, physicality and “exceptional style of football” could cause problems.

Italy have missed the past two World Cups but are assured of a play-off spot as group runners-up. They can still mathematically top the group and qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America if they beat both Moldova and Norway—though they would need to overturn Norway’s superior goal difference by scoring heavily in both games.

Gattuso will be without in-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who scored six goals in his last four national team appearances before suffering an injury with his club. Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has also opted out of the November fixtures and has not featured for Italy since Euro 2024.

Since replacing Luciano Spalletti—dismissed after a 3-0 defeat in Oslo in June—Gattuso has overseen a revival, guiding Italy to four straight wins with 16 goals scored.

He also clarified that a training camp initially planned for March ahead of the play-offs will not go ahead “due to a lack of available dates.”
“It’s up to us to do our best by scouting players in Italy and abroad,” he added.