Gabriele Gravina resigned as Italian Football Federation president after Italy failed to qualify for their third straight FIFA World Cup.
Gabriele Gravina has resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation following mounting pressure after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup. The decision marks a significant turning point for Italian football.
🚨⚠️ OFFICIAL: Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina has just resigned. It’s over. pic.twitter.com/ROvyrZCgXg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2026
Gravina arrived at the federation headquarters in Rome on Thursday morning, where a meeting with senior officials was initially planned as a review of the defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, discussions quickly shifted toward the leadership of the federation.
During the meeting, Gravina held talks with representatives from the major Italian football bodies, including Serie A, Serie B and Lega Pro. By the end of the session, he confirmed his decision to step down, bringing an end to a tenure that began in 2018.
The resignation also means that the previously scheduled federal council meeting will not go ahead. Instead, the federation confirmed that new elections will take place on June 22 in Rome to appoint fresh leadership.
In an official statement, the FIGC outlined that Gravina informed key stakeholders, including league presidents and representatives of players and coaches’ associations, of his decision. The move is intended to allow a smooth transition ahead of the upcoming domestic competitions.
Gravina also thanked federation members for their support and confirmed he would appear before a parliamentary committee to report on the state of Italian football. He said he intended to present a comprehensive assessment of both the strengths and weaknesses within the sport.
Following Gravina’s departure, Gianluigi Buffon announced he would also step down from his role within the national team structure. The former World Cup winner said he felt it was appropriate to allow incoming leadership to choose their own staff.
🚨🇮🇹 OFFICIAL: Gianluigi Buffon has resigned from his role as part of Italian Federation. ❌👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/XkQ8r9mRbv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2026
Gravina had faced heavy criticism after remarks made in the aftermath of Italy’s defeat, when he compared football to other sports in Italy. Athletes, including boxer Irma Testa, responded publicly, prompting the outgoing president to clarify his comments and express regret over their interpretation.
With both Gravina and Buffon departing, uncertainty now surrounds the future of Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso. His contract runs until June, and reports have already linked figures such as Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as potential successors as Italian football prepares for a major reset.
