Italy FA Chief Steps Down After Fresh World Cup Setback

Italy FA Chief Steps Down After Fresh World Cup Setback

The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, has resigned following Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Gravina, who had led the federation since 2018, came under mounting pressure to step aside after Italy’s penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a crucial playoff match earlier in the week.

Calls for his resignation intensified, including from government quarters.

In response to the crisis, the federation has scheduled an extraordinary general assembly for June 22 to elect a new president. Meanwhile, Gravina has indicated his willingness to appear before a parliamentary panel on April 8 to address concerns over the current state of Italian football.

Italy’s recent struggles mark a significant decline for a nation once dominant on the global stage. The four-time world champions have not featured at the World Cup since 2014 and have managed just one win at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2006.

Gravina’s tenure, though highlighted by Italy’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2020, has been overshadowed by repeated failures in World Cup qualification. His position had become increasingly fragile amid growing criticism from both the media and senior political figures.

Italy’s Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, described the latest disappointment as a “definitive defeat,” stressing the urgent need to rebuild the nation’s football structure from the grassroots.

Following the loss, Gravina acknowledged the calls for his resignation but insisted that a proper evaluation was necessary. He later confirmed his decision to step down during a meeting with key football stakeholders at the federation’s headquarters in Rome.

Though re-elected as recently as February 2025, with a mandate expected to run until 2028, attention has now shifted to his successor. Among the names being considered are former Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò and past FIGC head Giancarlo Abete.

Italy now faces the challenge of rebuilding its footballing identity and restoring its place among the world’s elite.

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