Italy’s national football team is facing the possibility of missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Norway on Sunday. This loss has forced Italy into the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso has voiced his frustration with FIFA’s qualification process, arguing that it unfairly disadvantages European teams like Italy. Despite winning six of their eight qualifying matches, Italy finished second in their group, leaving them to navigate a challenging play-off route. Gattuso highlighted the disparity in direct qualification slots, noting that South America and Africa receive more automatic berths relative to their number of participating nations. He also pointed out that the current system, which includes smaller qualifying groups, increases the intensity of the competition. However, some of Gattuso’s claims contain inaccuracies, such as his assertion about African teams in the 1990s. Critics argue that Italy’s struggles are more a reflection of their performance than the system itself. The debate raises broader questions about the fairness of FIFA’s allocation of World Cup slots across different confederations. With 54 UEFA nations competing for just 16 spots, Europe’s share has decreased significantly over the years, despite its strong representation in global rankings. As Italy prepares for the play-offs, Gattuso’s call for reform may spark further discussion about the future of World Cup qualification.