Italy fans boo Spalletti before final appearance as head coach | OneFootball

The majority of Italy fans at the Mapei Stadium booed coach Luciano Spalletti ahead of the kick-off of a World Cup qualifying match against Moldova.

Italy host Moldova at the Reggio Emilia stadium this evening in the first home game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

You can follow live updates on the Football Italia Liveblog.

It’s Spalletti’s last game as Italy national team coach as the 66-year-old announced on the eve of the match that he had been sacked.

Tough welcome for Spalletti

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, reacts during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The majority of fans at the Mepei didn’t give the coach a warm welcome as Spalletti was booed when the line-ups were announced before kick-off.

The reception for the players was very different, as all of them were greeted with applause.

Spalletti sacked by Italy

epa11984179 Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany, 23 March 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

The Azzurri lost their opening World Cup qualifying match against Norway 3-0 on Friday, prompting FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to sack Spalletti.

The Italian Federation is now working to bring Claudio Ranieri, even if the 73-year-old is already committed to Roma as an advisor to the owners.

TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

This is Spalletti’s 24th game in charge of Italy. He has won 11 matches, lost six, and drawn as many.