Italy’s build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been thrown into further uncertainty after Gabriele Gravina resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The decision follows Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, an unprecedented run for a nation that has won the tournament four times.
Italy miss out again on FIFA World Cup 2026
Italy’s latest qualification setback was confirmed after they lost a play-off final to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The match ended level before Bosnia-Herzegovina won 4-1 on penalties. Italy have now missed three straight World Cups after also failing to reach Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, a sequence no previous World Cup winner has endured.
Buffon also steps down after FIFA World Cup 2026 failure
Shortly after Gravina’s resignation, former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announced he was leaving his role as delegation head, a position linked closely to the men’s national team setup. Buffon, part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, said the main mission was to return Italy to the World Cup and that the target was not achieved, so he felt he should also step aside as an act of responsibility.
Gravina’s tenure and what happens next
Gravina took over in October 2018. During his leadership, Italy won Euro 2020, beating England on penalties at Wembley. Despite that success, the FIGC faced renewed scrutiny as Italy’s men again missed the World Cup, this time the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Gravina oversaw coaching changes that included Luciano Spalletti and current head coach Gennaro Gattuso. Before leaving office, Gravina said he had asked Gattuso to remain in the role despite the failure to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026.
FIGC election date and possible successor
The FIGC confirmed a vote to elect a new president will take place on 22 June. One of the leading names mentioned as a potential successor is Giovanni Malago, formerly head of the Italian Olympic Committee and also president of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics organising committee.
UEFA warning adds pressure on Italy
Italy’s football leadership turmoil comes as UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warned Italy could lose its role as co-host of Euro 2032 unless stadium and infrastructure upgrades accelerate. Italy and Turkey are scheduled to host the tournament, but Italy’s shortage of modern stadiums has drawn repeated criticism. UEFA has given Italy until October to propose five stadiums suitable for Euro 2032 matches, with Ceferin stating the tournament would not be staged in Italy if infrastructure is not ready.
