Italian football is facing a major institutional shake-up following the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Under intense pressure, Gabriele Gravina officially resigned from his position as president of the Italian Football Federation, a role he had held since 2017.
His departure comes after heavy criticism, particularly following his controversial remarks after the defeat to Bosnia. An election to appoint his successor has already been scheduled for June 22 in Rome.
Gravina announced his resignation during a high-level meeting with key figures of Italian football, including representatives from Serie A, Serie B, and other governing bodies. In his final statements, he defended his position while acknowledging the need for change. He also confirmed that he would appear before a parliamentary committee to present a full report on the state of Italian football, highlighting both its strengths and its structural weaknesses.
Buffon follows with emotional exit
The crisis quickly deepened with the resignation of Gianluigi Buffon, who had been serving as head of delegation since 2023. The legendary goalkeeper made his decision public through an emotional message, explaining that stepping down was “an act of responsibility” after the team failed to achieve its main objective: returning Italy to the World Cup.
Buffon expressed pride in the work accomplished behind the scenes, particularly in strengthening team unity and building a long-term vision for Italian football development.
However, he admitted that the failure to qualify overshadowed those efforts. “Representing the national team is an honor and a passion I’ve had since childhood,” he said, before concluding with a heartfelt message of gratitude and support: “Forza Azzurri sempre.”
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