Gabriele Gravina resigns as president of Italy’s football federation
Gabriele Gravina has stepped down as president of Italy’s football federation following mounting political pressure, just 48 hours after the national team’s devastating elimination from World Cup qualification, reports BritPanorama.
The resignation marks a dramatic response to the Azzurri’s historic failure to reach a third consecutive World Cup finals. Thursday’s departure follows Italy’s crushing exit from the 2026 tournament, set to be hosted across North America.
Gravina’s tenure was characterised by two failed qualification campaigns, leading to demands for significant changes within the Italian football administration from government officials. Tuesday’s penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff was particularly critical, marking the end of Italy’s hopes to compete in this year’s World Cup.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has called for a reassessment of the nation’s football leadership, citing the need for new strategies after witnessing back-to-back failures under Gravina. The federation president’s exit is anticipated to also impact national team manager Gennaro Gattuso, whose position appears increasingly precarious.
Gattuso’s future was called into question following the disappointing results. “I’m not interested at all in talking about my future today,” he stated, reflecting the turmoil surrounding the team.
In light of these events, Italy faces a considerable overhaul of its football leadership, which follows an unprecedented period of World Cup absences, notably only six years after winning the European Championships. Two leading figures in Italian football management, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, have emerged as potential candidates to replace Gravina, although both currently hold jobs elsewhere.
This latest chapter in Italy’s football saga underscores a complex interplay of ambition and disappointment, leaving the nation to reflect on its famed football legacy and the daunting task of rebuilding for the future.
