Following Italy’s dramatic exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, frustration is mounting across Italian football. The national team’s failure to secure a place in the tournament for the third consecutive edition has sparked urgent calls for reform, with Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of SSC Napoli, leading the charge.
De Laurentiis placed significant responsibility on the current structure of Serie A, arguing that the 20-team format overburdens players and leaves them fatigued, ultimately harming their performance at the international level. He proposed reducing the league to 16 teams as a way to improve player fitness and competitiveness, allowing the national team to better prepare for major tournaments.
The Napoli president also criticized scheduling practices, pointing to long-haul trips for events like the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia as contributing to player exhaustion. He highlighted that such demands strain athletes physically and hinder Italy’s ability to compete effectively on the world stage.
Beyond restructuring, De Laurentiis suggested financial reforms for clubs releasing players for national duty, including compensation and injury insurance, to reflect the risks and costs involved.
Italy’s repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup has sparked national disappointment and calls for accountability at all levels of football governance. De Laurentiis has voiced support for new leadership, backing figures like Giovanni Malagò as potential successors to Gabriele Gravina to guide meaningful change in Italian football.
As debate continues, questions about the league’s current format and its impact on both clubs and the national team are gaining attention. While it remains uncertain whether De Laurentiis’s proposals will be implemented, his outspoken call for reform has intensified discussions about the future of Italian football.