Overview

• Gennaro Gattuso has signed a one-year contract as Italy’s head coach with the primary goal of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
• He will be formally introduced on June 19 at Rome’s Hotel Parco dei Principi following an intensive negotiation process within the federation.
• Italy’s qualification campaign opens on September 5 in Bergamo against Estonia, three days before a neutral-venue match against Israel.
• The FIGC has bolstered its technical structure by appointing Cesare Prandelli as coordinator and integrating ex-internationals Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli into the coaching setup.
• Gianluigi Buffon played a key role in recommending Gattuso during the federation’s selection discussions.