Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina Resigns After Historic World Cup Failure
Sports Updated: 02 April 2026 18:14 EAT
Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina has just resigned from his role 👋🏼🇮🇹 Decision made following Italy missing out on world cup qualification
Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), officially resigned on Thursday, stepping down from the role he has held since 2018 after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup. The dramatic decision came during an emergency FIGC meeting called in the wake of the national team’s play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Gravina’s resignation marks a stunning end to his tenure at the helm of Italy’s football authorities, a period that included the country’s UEFA Euro 2020 triumph but also back-to-back World Cup misses in 2022 and 2026. Italy’s absence from the global tournament this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico represents an unprecedented decline for a four-time world champion.
The FIGC announced that new elections are scheduled for 22 June 2026, during which members will choose Gravina’s successor to lead the federation through what many see as its most profound crisis in decades. Names such as former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete and ex-CONI chief Giovanni Malagò are among those already discussed as potential candidates to take the reins.
Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion, with a penalty shoot-out loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina consigning the Azzurri to a third straight absence from football’s flagship tournament — a streak no modern Italian generation has experienced before.
The defeat triggered intense criticism from fans, media and political figures, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi leading calls for sweeping changes at the top of the federation. Abodi and others argued that Italy’s footballing system requires a wide-ranging overhaul, from grassroots development to elite coaching and infrastructure.
The national team’s technical leadership is also under scrutiny. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso, appointed in 2025, is widely expected to leave his post alongside Gravina, with speculation mounting around possible replacements including experienced tacticians such as Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.
The shock of missing another World Cup has sparked broader debate about the state of Italian football, with commentators pointing to systemic issues, from the domestic league’s competitiveness to declining youth output. Many argue that leadership change at the FIGC alone won’t be sufficient without deeper structural reforms.
Public reaction has been fierce, with fans expressing frustration and disappointment across social and traditional media platforms. In some Italian cities, protests and heated discussions have echoed broader concerns about the national team’s direction and identity.
Despite the turmoil, some voices within the sport emphasize the long-term potential within Italy’s youth ranks and the possibility of a future revival if reforms are effectively implemented. FIGC interim officials have pledged to engage with all stakeholders to chart a new course for Italian football.
As Italy prepares for a leadership election in June, the football-mad nation finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a legacy of past glory and an uncertain future off the global stage. The next few months are expected to be pivotal for determining whether this marks a renaissance or continued struggle for one of the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
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