Ceferin sends Italy a warning over Euro 2032: stadiums and FIGC independence

Euro 2032 will be played in Italy and Turkey, but the Italian side of the project is raising concerns at UEFA. In a lengthy interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, president Aleksander Ceferin addressed the issues that worry him most: the institutional stability of the Italian Football Federation and the slow progress on stadium renovations. His tone is polite, yet firm: as co-host, Italy carries a special responsibility.

• Ceferin warns about the possible special administration of the FIGC and stresses that federation independence is a core principle for UEFA and FIFA.
• The UEFA president keeps criticizing the state of Italian stadiums and demands concrete action instead of good intentions.
• He welcomes the interest shown by 13 cities and points to Juventus, Atalanta and Udinese as a successful model of club-run venues.
• UEFA sees Euro 2032 as the right moment to modernize Italy's football infrastructure.

Why a special administration of the FIGC concerns UEFA

Ceferin is closely watching the political future of the Italian federation. Giovanni Malagò was elected as FIGC president in June with a broad majority, but some investigations have questioned the legitimacy of that vote due to alleged breaches of the statutes. That has opened the door to a possible special administration. The UEFA president is blunt about what he expects.

We do not intend to prejudge the decisions of the institutions, but the independence of federations and respect for the will of their members are fundamental principles of the UEFA and FIFA Statutes, and we expect them to be respected.

He admits that no decision has been made yet. Still, he insists that Italy, as co-host, has a special duty. Any political interference, he adds, would undermine trust among UEFA and other partners, damaging both Italian football and the tournament itself.

Italy's stadium problem remains the biggest challenge for Euro 2032

Stadiums have been a long-standing concern for Ceferin. He has previously said that Italian venues do not match the prestige of the country's football history. That view has not changed: the sport's infrastructure still falls far short of its status in Italy. Euro 2032, shared with Turkey, should help close that gap.

Still, the UEFA president remains optimistic and points to recent progress. In August, thirteen cities expressed interest in hosting matches. The announced investments, he says, show that the scale of the problem has been understood even at institutional level. What is missing is time.

Time is running out for everyone. The goodwill shown must be translated into concrete measures as soon as possible.

Juventus, Atalanta and Udinese: the model Italy should follow

Ceferin does not need to look abroad for examples. Juventus, Atalanta and Udinese prove that when a club takes charge of its stadium and manages it directly, results arrive relatively quickly. For him, Euro 2032 is the ideal opportunity to expand that model and finally modernize the country's venues.

What Italy risks before co-hosting Euro 2032 with Turkey

Italy does not only need renovated stadiums by 2032. It also has to show UEFA and FIFA that its football institutions remain independent and stable. Sharing hosting duties with Turkey lightens the load, but it does not remove the obligations. Ceferin sums it up in two demands: respect the autonomy of the sport and turn promises into real construction work.

His message leaves little room for interpretation. UEFA is watching Italy closely and any misstep could damage confidence in the project. For the governing body, Euro 2032 is a historic chance that Italy should not waste.