Gravina on Italy Gattuso ‘nightmare’ and controversial Israel match | OneFootball

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina reveals why he called Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso in a panic after a ‘nightmare’ and why the controversial World Cup qualifier against Israel must go ahead.

The Azzurri missed out on qualification for the 2018 and 2022 editions of the World Cup, and their presence in the USA, Canada and Mexico for 2026 is also in the balance.

A rough start to the campaign saw Luciano Spalletti sacked in June, bringing in Gattuso to take over.

The rapport between President Gravina and Gattuso is a more open one, as revealed by the Federation chief.

How Gattuso reassured Gravina over Italy fate

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gesture during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“I called Rino Gattuso and told him: Rino, I slept really badly, I had a nightmare, so tell me something positive to get this day back on track,” Gravina told podcast Sette Vite (Seven Lives).

“He reassured me and then I did indeed have a good day.”

Italy won both their matches so far under Gattuso, crushing Estonia 5-0, then squeezing past Israel 5-4 in September.

Now they are back in action with a trip to Estonia on Saturday, followed by the controversial and potentially tense hosting of Israel on October 14.

Moise Kean celebrates scoring for Italy against Israel in the World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)

There have been calls for the Azzurri to boycott the match at the Stadio Friuli, especially after another week of mass protests in Italy over the ongoing situation in Gaza.

However, UEFA and FIFA have refused to suspend Israel from the World Cup qualifying matches, a move that would put that country on a par with Russia.

“There is a very clear distinction between my role as a citizen, a man of the world who is indignant at all we are seeing, and the responsibility as a sporting figure,” replied Gravina.

“I maintain sport has a wonderful function of uniting, aggregating, making it possible for every experience to be shared. We maintain the game with Israel should be played, and we will play it, then we’ll do everything to bring home the best possible result.”