Overview
- Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who spoke to Sky Italia on Thursday, said no player asked the federation for money and called any payout a routine gift given only after qualification.
- La Repubblica had reported a requested €300,000 qualification bonus, a claim echoed by other outlets that drew heavy criticism after the penalty loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The shootout defeat ended Italy's 2026 hopes and was followed by the departures of federation president Gabriele Gravina, team delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon and head coach Gennaro Gattuso.
- Donnarumma said the reports hurt him, expressed regret for the officials who left and said the players feel responsible for the current turmoil.
- He urged a reset focused on the Nations League and the European Championship, noting Italy have now missed three straight World Cups and last played at the tournament in 2014.