Gabriele Gravina brings order, sets limits, and reiterates priorities. At the FIGC Board meeting, which opened with a welcome to new directors Giorgio Chiellini and Antonio Gozzi, the federal president immediately clarified that postponing Serie A matches so close to the World Cup playoffs "is not a viable option." The national team will have to prepare differently, and the only viable window, he said, remains February: "There's hope of organizing a training camp midway through the month, and I seem to sense a positive attitude from the Serie A league."
The Council meeting also unanimously approved the new National Licensing Manual, which sets June 22, 2026, as the deadline for championship registration and introduces a revision of the Extended Labour Cost indicator, which is expected to drop from 0,8 to 0,7 by the 2026 summer transfer window.
It might interest you
Napoli, Conte dominates radio and TV: he's the most talked about manager of the month.
Gianfranco Zola awarded in London as "Ambassador of Italian Sport in the World"
Roma-Napoli, Rocchi defends Massa: "The contact between Rrahmani and Koné wasn't a foul."
Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office: "Infiltration into Serie A and Serie B stadiums, weak response. Football risks collapse of legality."
However, tension remains focused on the urgency of preparing for the playoffs that will decide qualification for the World Cup: "I'm naturally optimistic; I think we'll get to the World Cup. We need to beat Northern Ireland and then focus on the final. We mustn't repeat the mistake we made against North Macedonia." The semifinal, Gravina confirmed, is expected to be played in Bergamo: "We had a great time in September; the welcome was extraordinary. It's the right stadium to face Northern Ireland."
The session concluded with a series of institutional appointments, including the renewal of the Anti-Doping Commission and the new structure of the Federal Guarantee Commission, led by Luigi Mariotti. These formal steps accompanied a day marked above all by one certainty: Italy must compete in the World Cup without shortcuts, and hard work, not schedules, will make the difference.
Comments (1)
It's interesting to see Gabriele Gravina trying to clarify important issues. However, it's also important that decisions be made more quickly so as not to waste precious time ahead of the playoffs.