Gravina makes request to Lega Serie A ahead of Italy’s 2026 World Cup play-offs: ‘Common sense’

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina feels it will be tough to move Serie A fixtures to allow Italy to prepare for the 2026 World Cup play-offs, but hopes Gennaro Gattuso will be given a chance to organise a get-together in February 2026.

Reports in Italy suggested on Thursday that FIGC was considering postponing some Serie A games in order to give Gattuso more time to prepare for the possible World Cup play-offs taking place in March 2026.

President Gravina spoke to reporters after the FIGC Executive Council today, conceding that altering the Serie A fixture list might be too far of a stretch, but made another request instead.

“A dialogue is already underway, but as I already said in the Federal meeting, there are still two games to go,” Gravina said via TMW.

“We have reached the minimum target, but football teaches us that there are ruthless rules. We’ll wait for the remaining two games, and after the draw on November 21, we’ll make our assessments.”

Italy sit second in Group I with two games remaining. There are, however, high chances that the Azzurri won’t get more than a runners-up finish as the gap in goal difference is well in favour of group leaders, Norway.

There’s a new international break in November, but the following one will be in March 2026, when the Azzurri will have just a few days to prepare for the possible play-offs.

“I find it a bit far-fetched to move a fixture given the schedule’s structure,” Gravina admitted.

“That’s a remote option, but we hope for Lega Serie A’s common sense to organise a couple of get-togethers, one in particular around February 9-10, to halve the distance from international breaks on November 16 and March 26. Those will be long months during which the coach won’t have a chance to see the players together.

“There’s availability to discuss it, but we have to consider the club’s availability, domestically and in Europe.”