Ahead of Bosnia Clash: Italy Players Demanded €10,000 World Cup Bonus; Gattuso Replied: "Let's Qualify First"
News reports indicated that Italy national team players demanded a bonus of 10,000 euros per player before facing the Bosnia national team in the final of the European play-off for the 2026 World Cup.
La Repubblica newspaper reported that the Azzurri players asked the Italian Federation to disburse total bonuses amounting to 300,000 euros among the 28 players, in case of qualification for the World Cup.
The same source clarified that the players' request was rejected by the Italian Federation. Coach Gennaro Gattuso, who later resigned, responded by saying: "Let's secure qualification on the field first, and then we'll see."
It is worth noting that the Italian national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, after drawing against Bosnia (1-1) in regular and extra time and losing on penalties (4-1).
