Gravina explains resignation after Italy failure to reach 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Gabriele Gravina resigned as FIGC President today and assured it was ‘a personal, convinced and carefully meditated’ decision after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The head of the Federation had been expected to hand in his resignation straight after the penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night, but he waited until today’s emergency meeting of the Italian football authorities.

He was swiftly followed by delegation chief Gigi Buffon, and coach Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to follow, as the failure to reach a third consecutive World Cup inevitably sparks an earthquake in Calcio.

Gravina explains resignation

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: (L-R) President of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio, President of FIGC Gabriele Gravina and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin look on prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

“After many years, there is a feeling of sadness, but also of calm,” Gravina told reporters as he left the Federation headquarters.

“I have to thank all the elements of the Federation, who again today showed great support, great respect, affection, and also insisted that I should continue, but I made my decision, it was a personal and carefully meditated one.

“You will be able to read the rest in a statement. We’ll see each other over the next few days, Happy Easter to everyone.”

Gravina had been the FIGC President since October 2018.

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

There was also a great deal of confusion, as just minutes after the FIGC announced that a planned presentation to the Government would go ahead on April 8, the Commission for Sport instead confirmed that the event had been cancelled.

Elections will be held on June 22 to elect a new President of the Federation, and only after that will Italy likely choose a new coach too.

There are 274 delegates who choose the new President, with 18 per cent of the vote going to Serie A representatives, 6 per cent Serie B, 12 per cent Lega Pro, 34 per cent for the Amateur League (LND), 20 per cent the Players’ Association, and 10 per cent the Coaches’ Association.