Reports from Tuesday indicate that the Hellenic Football Federation is displeased with the proposal for Italy to field a team largely composed of Under-21 players in their scheduled June friendly. This development has led to speculation that the match might be called off.
Is the Greece vs. Italy Friendly at Risk of Cancellation?
Despite not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian national team has two friendly matches scheduled for early June: one against Luxembourg on the 3rd and another against Greece on the 6th, both to be played away. Following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation shortly after the World Cup playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in late March, Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini has been entrusted with leading the senior squad for these upcoming friendlies.
Baldini is anticipated to select a squad primarily, if not exclusively, from the players he currently manages at the U21 level. Although reports suggest captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made himself available, Baldini has stated his intention to “only call up players from the U21s.”
While this approach has been met with approval by a significant portion of the Italian fanbase, it has reportedly angered the Greek federation. Greece aims to provide their players with a competitive challenge against opponents of a recognized caliber and experience to better prepare them for their Nations League campaign, which commences in September.
According to reports from TMW, representatives from the Greek and Italian federations have been in discussions since last week to “find a solution.” The current reports suggest a real possibility that the match may not proceed. A swift resolution is necessary, as the game is scheduled to take place in just over two weeks, and the window for arranging an alternative friendly opponent is rapidly closing.
Greece has already announced its squad, and as TMW points out, their official announcement made no specific mention of a game against Italy, only referring to participation in “June friendlies.”
English Translation:
Reports on Tuesday suggest that the Greek football federation is frustrated by the suggestion that Italy will field a team predominantly comprising U21 players for their scheduled friendly in June. Some media outlets are now suggesting there’s a risk the game might not take place as a result.
Is there a risk that the Greece vs. Italy friendly will be cancelled?
The Italian national team, having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, still has two friendly fixtures on the calendar for early June: against Luxembourg on the 3rd and against Greece on the 6th, both scheduled to be played away. Following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation shortly after the World Cup play-off final loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, U21 boss Silvio Baldini has been tasked with leading the senior squad for the June friendlies.
Baldini is expected to select a squad largely, or perhaps entirely, made up of players he already knows from his U21 team. While there have been reports that captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made himself available, Baldini has insisted that he “will only call up players from the U21s.”
Although this suggestion has been positively received by a large segment of the Azzurri supporters, the situation has reportedly angered the Greek federation. They wish to give their players a competitive test against opponents of a certain level and experience to prepare them for the Nations League campaign that kicks off in September.
According to reports from TMW, representatives from the Greek and Italian federations have been in contact since last week to “find a solution.” Tuesday’s report claims there is a risk the match will not go ahead.
The parties will need to reach a resolution swiftly, however, as the game is scheduled to take place in just over a fortnight, and the chances of arranging a friendly against different opponents are already diminishing.
Greece has already confirmed its squad, and TMW points out that in their official announcement, there was no mention of a game against Italy, only that they would be participating in “June friendlies.”