Italian soccer president resigns after Azzurri miss third straight World Cup

Italian football was plunged into fresh turmoil after the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina , resigned following the national team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup .

The decision came just two days after the Azzurri’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout , which ended Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in North America . The loss triggered sharp criticism from political leaders and football officials, intensifying pressure on the federation leadership.

Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi publicly called for sweeping reforms in the country’s football structure, saying it had become clear that Italian football needed a major overhaul and new leadership .

Gravina had been in charge of the federation since 2018 , taking over after Carlo Tavecchio stepped down following Italy’s failure to reach the 2018 World Cup . Although Gravina oversaw a historic moment when Italy lifted the UEFA European Championship title in 2021 , the national team’s repeated failures to qualify for the World Cup have overshadowed that achievement.

The four time world champions have now suffered playoff eliminations against Sweden in 2018, North Macedonia in 2022, and Bosnia and Herzegovina this time , marking one of the most disappointing periods in the country’s football history.

Attention has also turned to national team coach Gennaro Gattuso , who took charge last year during a difficult phase for the team. Several prominent managers, including Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri , are being discussed as potential replacements.

The FIGC has scheduled fresh elections on June 22 to appoint a new president as Italian football attempts to rebuild and restore its global standing.