Gianluigi Buffon Slams Italian Soccer Hierarchy As Azzurri See World Cup Playoff Request Denied

Gianluigi Buffon has hit back at the Italian soccer hierarchy as both parties did not allow the Italian national team to complete a training camp before the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off in March.

Gianluigi Buffon Slams Italian Soccer Hierarchy

The Azzurri were hoping to receive some additional days to prepare for the 2026 World Cup playoff clash against Northern Ireland, but Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon’s request has been denied.

After failing to secure automatic qualification for this year’s tournament, Italy have been handed another opportunity to end their 12-year absence from the World Cup.

Gattuso’s men must beat Northern Ireland in a single-leg playoff and then repeat this feat against the winner of Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Some of Italy’s biggest stars will be looking to feature in their first World Cup, including some youngsters like Pio Esposito and some more experienced players like Sandro Tonali.

One man that has experienced a World Cup with the Azzurri, winning the trophy in 2026, is Gianluigi Buffon who is now the Italy Delegation Chief.

The iconic soccer star pushed for more preparation ahead of the World Cup, but the FIGC and Serie A have denied this wish after revealing the fixtures for GW23-24.

Buffon was quick to vent his frustrations over the decision and claimed that he did not expect anything different – due to multiple disappointments from Italy’s soccer hierarchy.

Buffon said: “We must rely on our own strength. We didn’t expect anything different; we’ll have to be even more determined.”

Gennaro Gattuso Relying On World Cup Qualification

Not only would qualifying for the 2026 World Cup end a 12-year wait for Italy after missing the last two tournaments, it will also seal Gattuso’s fate at the helm.

The former AC Milan midfielder took the reins in June after the Azzurri decided to cut ties with Luciano Spalletti and Gattuso has overseen six matches so far.

Since then, the Azzurri have picked up five wins and suffered just one defeat, but this was still not enough to secure a place at this year’s tournament.

There have been calls for Maurizio Sarri to become the next Azzurri manager after his comments towards the Lazio board and these rumors will amplify if Italy miss out on qualification.

Managing at club level is still a tempting offer for Gattuso but there are limited options in Serie A, with multiple sides already changing managers this season.