Italy will not be at the 2026 World Cup. This is no longer a risk or a possibility, but an outcome already written. Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth, has once again reacted to the crisis, using unusually harsh language to describe yet another failure. His explanation begins with a basic observation: in recent qualifying campaigns, Italy has often found itself in a play-off situation, but has failed to establish itself in crucial times. And, according to the minister, this is not a small detail, but rather an indication of a larger issue. Abodi emphasizes the mental and cultural aspects. The minister claims that Italian soccer has not lost talent, but has gradually “put it to sleep", failing to nurture it. The fundamental issue, according to this interpretation, is the development of young players: fewer and fewer players are growing up with a free and creative interaction with the ball, while youth development programs tend to emphasize strict patterns and automated systems. According to Abodi, in this environment, a specific characteristic is also being lost: the ability to "beat the man", or dribble past an opponent with a one-on-one play, which has been a trademark of Italian football for decades. The minister then broadens the scope of the conversation to include the entire system. The most contentious aspect of his remarks, however, is the name of Pep Guardiola. The current Manchester City manager, regarded as one of contemporary soccer's most important managers due to his possession-based style of play and build-up play from the back, is being considered as a potential future coach of the Italian national team. Abodi refers to a theoretical possibility rather than an impending one or continuing talks. The issue, he explains, isn't financial: it's about the coach's personal motivation and ambition, as well as his probable willingness to take on the position of selector, which is very different from that of club manager. At the same time, the minister rejects any facile interpretation, stating that even a coach of Guardiola's caliber would be insufficient to revitalize Italian soccer. He underlines that a national team is not developed around a single figure, but rather as part of a larger effort comprising the federation, clubs, youth sector, and sporting culture.