Italy's latest World Cup failure labeled ‘3rd apocalypse'
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after losing a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina, following previous eliminations by Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
- The Italian soccer crisis extends beyond the national team, with no Italian club winning the Champions League since Inter Milan in 2010 and all four Italian clubs eliminated before the quarterfinals this season.
- Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called for the resignation of Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina, emphasizing the need for a complete overhaul of Italian soccer leadership.
- National team coaches have struggled with limited preparation time due to Serie A scheduling conflicts, and prominent coaches are reluctant to take the Italy job amid ongoing failures.
- Gravina remains in his position but has indicated that deeper reflections and possible leadership elections are forthcoming as Italian soccer faces mounting criticism and calls for change.
