Italy Football Federation President Resigns Following Third Consecutive World Cup Qualification Failure

Gabriele Gravina Steps Down Amidst National Team’s Struggles

Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), announced his resignation on Thursday following the national team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. This decision comes in the wake of Italy’s recent defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff match.

Gravina, who has led the FIGC since 2018, faced mounting pressure from the government to resign after the national team’s disappointing performance. The FIGC has scheduled an extraordinary assembly for June 22 to elect a new president. Gravina had previously offered to address a parliamentary committee regarding the state of Italian soccer on April 8, but that hearing has been canceled pending the election results.

Historical Context of Italy’s World Cup Performance

The Italian national team last qualified for the World Cup in 2014 and has only secured one victory at the finals since winning the tournament for the fourth time in 2006. The recent failures have sparked significant criticism from both the media and political figures in Italy.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who served as the head of the national team delegation, also announced his resignation via social media. Buffon had initially considered resigning immediately after the loss to Bosnia but was advised to take time to reflect on his decision.

Gravina’s Tenure and Challenges

Gravina was elected unopposed in October 2018, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio, who resigned after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Reflecting on his time in office, Gravina expressed a mix of bitterness and serenity, thanking the federation’s members for their support while emphasizing that his decision was made with careful consideration.

His tenure included the triumph of Euro 2020 but was marred by two additional World Cup qualification failures. Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi characterized the latest failure as a “definitive defeat,” suggesting that Italian football requires a complete overhaul.

The Search for a Successor

Following Gravina’s resignation, the FIGC must now search for a successor. Potential candidates include Giovanni Malago, the former head of Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI), and Giancarlo Abete, who previously served as FIGC president from 2007 to 2014. Gravina had been re-elected in February 2021, with his term set to conclude in 2028.

Buffon’s Reflections and Future Implications

In his Instagram post, Buffon stated that he felt compelled to resign following Gravina’s decision, viewing it as an act of responsibility. He noted that despite building a strong team spirit with coach Rino Gattuso and other collaborators, the primary goal of returning Italy to the World Cup was not achieved.

Gravina faced backlash for comments made after the defeat, where he suggested that football is a professional sport, unlike other disciplines, which led to outrage among athletes. Irma Testa, Italy’s first female Olympic boxer, responded on social media, asserting that all athletes are professionals. The FIGC later clarified that Gravina’s remarks were misinterpreted.

Future of the National Team Management

With the resignations of Gravina and Buffon, the future of Italy’s national team manager, Gennaro Gattuso, is now uncertain, especially as his contract is set to expire in June. Media speculation has linked former managers Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as possible replacements.

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-04-03 03:10:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk