Gabriele Gravina resigns as Italian FA president after 2026 World Cup failure | OneFootball

Gabriele Gravina has resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation after Italy failed to reach the 2026 World Cup, the federation said in a statement.

He had been under intense pressure since Tuesday's play-off final, when Italy drew 1-1 with Bosnia and lost 4-1 on penalties.

Gravina, 72, has led the FIGC since October 2018. During his tenure Italy won Euro 2021, missed the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, and were knocked out by Switzerland at Euro 2024 in the last 16.

Seeking to get ahead of calls to quit, he first convened a federal council to review his record. The sports minister, Andrea Abodi, urged him to step down, arguing that Italian football needed rebuilding and new leadership at the FIGC.

New elections are scheduled for 22 June to choose his successor. Giovanni Malagò, the former head of the Italian Olympic Committee and of the Milan Cortina 2026 organising committee, has been widely cited as the leading contender.

Head coach Gennaro Gattuso, appointed in June 2025, should resign as well, along with team delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.

Source: L'Équipe