Following a historic and devastating failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina has officially stepped down from his role.
The resignation comes in the wake of Italy's heartbreaking 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tuesday's play-off final. The devastating loss means the four-time world champions will miss their third consecutive World Cup—having already sat out the 2018 and 2022 tournaments—marking an unprecedented drought for any previous tournament winner.
The shockwaves of the defeat have also prompted the departure of Azzurri legend Gianluigi Buffon. The 2006 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, who had been serving as the men's national team delegation head, announced his resignation Thursday via Instagram. Buffon cited his departure as "an act of responsibility" following Gravina's exit.
"The main objective was to bring Italy back to the World Cup. And we didn't succeed," the 48-year-old icon explained. "It's fair to leave it to those who will come after the freedom to choose the figure they think is best to play my role."
Gravina, 72, formalized his resignation following a high-stakes meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome. Also acting as UEFA's first vice-president, Gravina originally assumed the FIGC presidency in October 2018 under strikingly similar circumstances, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio after Italy's infamous failure to qualify for the tournament in Russia.
While Gravina's tenure was highlighted by Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign—which culminated in a penalty shootout victory over England at Wembley Stadium—the failure to secure a ticket to the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico ultimately dictated his exit. During his time at the helm, he oversaw the hiring of former manager Luciano Spalletti and current head coach Gennaro Gattuso. Notably, before vacating his post, Gravina confirmed he had asked Gattuso to remain in charge despite the qualifying disaster.
The FIGC has announced that an election for a new president will take place on June 22. Early frontrunners for the position include Giovanni Malagò, former chief of the Italian Olympic Committee and president of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics organizing committee, as Italian football begins another painful rebuilding process.