Italian Sports Minister: "The Final Result Must Be World Cup Qualification"

Andrea Abodi, Italy's Minister for Sport and Youth, affirmed that the Italian national team will be present in Canada on June 12, indicating his country's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Abodi expressed strong confidence in the technical prowess and psychological readiness of the players under coach Gennaro Gattuso. He emphasized the importance of the unity and ambition currently displayed by the squad, stating: "The final result can only be one, and that is Italy's presence in Canada on June 12." In this context, the minister linked the team's current spirit to the spirit that prevailed in 2021, commending the individual and collective commitment shown by the players.

In a related context, the Sports Minister dismissed the impact of controversy surrounding the team's celebrations after Bosnia's qualification, recalling his attendance at a previous match in Bergamo where he interacted with fans during moments of anticipation and victory. Abodi also announced his intention to travel to Zenica to attend the Italian national team's upcoming match and follow the team's journey in its future commitments.

It is worth noting that Italy will face Bosnia this coming Tuesday in the "final" of the European play-offs. Should they secure a victory, Gianluigi Donnarumma's teammates will qualify for the World Cup.