Gabriele Gravina has resigned as President of the Italian Football Federation following Italy’s devastating failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, triggering a total overhaul of the national team’s leadership.
Gabriele Gravina, President of the Italian Football Federation, resigned Thursday following an emergency meeting triggered by Italy’s playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The defeat marks the four-time champions’ third consecutive World Cup absence.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi emphasized the need for a total reset, stating: “It is clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt, and this process must begin with a renewal.”
The fallout extends beyond the presidency, with head coach Gennaro Gattuso and team manager Gianluigi Buffon also expected to depart.
Despite winning Euro 2020 during his tenure, Gravina faced insurmountable pressure after failing to secure qualification for both the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
Leadership from Serie A, Serie B, and the Players’ Union attended the summit to begin navigating this unprecedented institutional crisis.