New Italy Coach Gattuso Visits Serie A Clubs for 2026 World Cup Prep

In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Italy's new national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has been touring the training camps of various Serie A clubs this summer. Gattuso, who was appointed as the new Azzurri boss earlier this year, is using this time to get acquainted with the players he will lead into the crucial World Cup qualification campaign.

Gattuso's Italy debut is scheduled for September, when the team faces Estonia and Israel in the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying round. With little time to prepare the squad, the experienced coach has been proactive in visiting the Serie A sides, meeting with their managers and observing the players in action.

Today, Gattuso was welcomed at Lazio's Formello training ground, where he met with coach Maurizio Sarri, director of sport Angelo Maria Fabiani, and club manager Alberto Bianchi. Gattuso was accompanied by his own Nazionale staff, including legendary goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, as well as defenders Luigi Riccio and Leonardo Bonucci.

This comprehensive approach to pre-season preparation is part of Gattuso's strategy to build a strong, cohesive team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. The former Italy midfielder, who was part of the squad that won the 2006 World Cup, is determined to guide the Azzurri back to the global showpiece event after they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition.