The state of Italian football is under scrutiny, both on the pitch and off it. While Bologna remains the sole Italian club competing in the latter stages of European competition – currently facing Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-finals – the national team continues to struggle. Italy recently suffered a painful defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout, extending their World Cup drought to a staggering sixteen years.
While hosting a World Cup remains a distant prospect, Italy was slated to co-host the UEFA Euro 2032 alongside Turkey. However, that opportunity is now contingent on significant improvements to the country’s aging football infrastructure, a point emphatically driven home by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
“I hope the infrastructure will be ready, otherwise the tournament will not take place in Italy”
Just hours after Italy’s World Cup qualifying heartbreak, Čeferin delivered a blunt assessment to Gazzetta dello Sport, stating, “The elimination is absolutely not Gabriele’s (Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation) fault and I would never take it out on the players or the coach. Italian political officials should perhaps ask themselves why Italy has some of the worst football infrastructure in Europe…”
Čeferin continued, “The complicated situation with stadiums in Italy? Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place: I hope the infrastructure will be ready. Otherwise, the tournament will not take place in Italy. (…) The main problem with Italian football lies in the links between football politics and ‘classic’ politics. If everyone conformed to this, Italy would quickly become European and world champions again. Unfortunately, if the same negative people persist in their actions, the situation of football will worsen dramatically.”
UEFA is expected to finalize a list of ten host stadiums for Euro 2032 by October 2026, with a likely split of five venues in Turkey and five in Italy. Several Italian stadiums are currently undergoing renovations, including the Stadio San Nicola (Bari), the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Naples), the Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa), and the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi (Verona). Reports last July indicated that the Juventus Stadium was the only Italian ground currently meeting UEFA standards, and concerns remain about whether the modernization of the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan will be sufficient to host matches during the tournament.
The situation highlights a broader issue plaguing Italian football: a disconnect between ambition and investment in essential facilities. The country’s passion for the game is undeniable, but aging stadiums and inadequate infrastructure threaten its ability to compete on the international stage and successfully host major tournaments.
This isn’t simply about aesthetics or fan comfort. it’s about meeting the stringent requirements of modern football, including safety, accessibility, and media facilities. For fans unfamiliar with UEFA stadium criteria, these standards cover everything from pitch quality and seating capacity to medical facilities and security protocols. Failure to meet these standards could result in venues being disqualified from hosting Euro 2032 matches, potentially stripping Italy of its co-hosting rights.
The pressure from Čeferin is a clear signal that UEFA is serious about ensuring the tournament is held in venues capable of delivering a world-class experience. The stakes are high, not just for Italian football fans, but for the country’s image and its ability to attract future investment in the sport. The coming months will be critical as Italian authorities race to address the infrastructure deficiencies and convince UEFA that they are committed to delivering a successful Euro 2032.
The situation also casts a shadow over Bologna’s Europa League campaign. While the team’s progress offers a glimmer of hope for Italian football, it also underscores the disparity between the on-field performance and the off-field challenges. Bologna’s quarter-final tie against Aston Villa, following a 1-0 defeat in the first leg last September (as reported by ESPN), serves as a reminder of the competitive landscape and the need for continued investment to preserve pace with Europe’s elite clubs.
The focus now shifts to whether Italian politicians will heed Čeferin’s warning and prioritize the necessary infrastructure improvements. The future of Euro 2032 in Italy – and potentially the long-term health of Italian football – hangs in the balance.
The next key date for stadium updates is October 2026, when UEFA will announce the final list of host venues. Fans and stakeholders will be closely monitoring the progress of renovations and awaiting UEFA’s decision. In the meantime, Bologna will continue its Europa League journey, hoping to provide a positive narrative for Italian football amidst the ongoing infrastructure concerns.
