Gabriele Gravina has officially stepped down as FIGC President following Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking the third consecutive tournament the Azzurri have missed.
Gabriele Gravina has officially resigned as President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in the aftermath of Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The resignation was submitted during an emergency meeting of the FIGC General Council following the Azzurri’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final on Tuesday. This marks the third consecutive World Cup—after 2018 and 2022—that Italy has failed to reach, a historic low for a nation with four world titles.
Gravina, who has led the FIGC since October 2018, oversaw Italy’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2020, but his tenure will ultimately be defined by the national team’s international decline. The failure to qualify for three straight World Cups has triggered widespread criticism from fans and officials alike. The absence from global tournaments not only damages Italy’s footballing prestige but also impacts revenue, youth development, and competitive momentum.
An election to appoint Gravina’s successor is scheduled for June 22, with several high-profile figures already emerging as potential candidates. Among them are Giovanni Malagò, former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Giancarlo Abete, head of the amateur leagues, and Matteo Marani, President of Serie C. The incoming leader will inherit a federation in crisis, tasked with rebuilding both the national team and the broader football infrastructure.
The emergency meeting included top football executives: Ezio Simonelli (Serie A), Paolo Bedin (Serie B), Matteo Marani (Serie C), along with representatives from the players’ and coaches’ associations. Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi emphasized the need for renewal, stating:
It’s evident that Italian football needs to be rebuilt, and this process must start with a renewal of the FIGC leadership.
Gravina’s era saw the appointments of head coaches Luciano Spalletti in 2023 and Gennaro Gattuso in 2025, neither of whom could guide Italy through qualification. The new FIGC president will need to appoint a long-term manager, reform youth pathways, and restore coordination between clubs and the national setup. With no World Cup or Euros on the horizon until 2030, the window for structural reform is open—but so is the risk of stagnation.
Italy now faces a critical juncture. The June 22 election could mark the start of a revival or deepen the cycle of underachievement. The legacy of Gravina’s tenure—Euro glory overshadowed by global absences—serves as both a warning and a challenge for his successor.
