Gabriele Gravina resignation FIGC follows Italy’s World Cup qualification failure, prompting leadership change and an emergency election

Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina has resigned following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, marking a significant turning point for the country’s football leadership amid mounting public and political pressure.

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The Gabriele Gravina resignation FIGC came after Italy suffered a defeat on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff match on Tuesday, a result that ended the national team’s hopes of reaching the tournament.

Gravina, who had led the federation since 2018, had faced calls from government officials to step down in the wake of the setback.

An extraordinary assembly has been scheduled for June 22 to elect a new federation president, as the FIGC moves to stabilise its leadership structure.

Gravina, meanwhile, has indicated his willingness to appear before a parliamentary committee on April 8 to present an update on the condition of Italian football, according to an official statement.

Italy’s absence from the World Cup continues a worrying trend for the four-time champions, who last appeared at the tournament in 2014.

Since their triumph in 2006, the national side has managed only one victory at the finals, highlighting a prolonged period of underperformance on the global stage.

Despite recent struggles, Italy enjoyed a notable high in international competition with its unexpected triumph at Euro 2020, which was held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

That victory offered a brief resurgence for the team, but subsequent qualification failures have renewed scrutiny of the country’s football system.

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Gravina’s resignation is expected to trigger a broader review of governance and development within Italian football, as stakeholders look to restore competitiveness and rebuild confidence ahead of future international competitions.