Gravina Steps Down
Gabriele Gravina has resigned as President of the Italian Football Federation. His decision comes in the wake of Italy's defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final playoff for the 2026 World Cup. An extraordinary electoral assembly to choose his successor will be held in Rome on June 22. This marks a significant leadership crisis for a nation that won the European Championship just three years ago.
A Career and a Series of Setbacks
A native of Castellana and a lawyer by training, Gravina began his football career in 1989 when he helped guide Castel di Sangro to professional status. The club debuted in Serie B in the 1996/97 season, with Gravina departing in 2000. He became head of the Professional League in December 2015 and was elected President of the Italian Football Federation in 2018. He also served as a Vice-President and later First Vice-President of UEFA.
Italy's recent World Cup qualification record is stark. The national team has now failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, last participating in 2014 where they were eliminated in the group stage under Cesare Prandelli. For the 2018 tournament, Italy finished second behind Spain in their group and lost a playoff to Sweden. In the 2022 qualification cycle, they again finished second in their group, this time behind France, and suffered a shocking playoff defeat to North Macedonia.
Gravina's resignation opens a new chapter for Italian football, with the federation now tasked with finding a new leader capable of steering the national team out of its crisis and back onto the global stage.
Gravina's departure underscores the profound challenges currently facing Italian football.
Beyond the World Cup failures, the national team has undergone significant managerial instability in recent years. The new president will be responsible for restoring confidence and developing a strategy to return Italy to the ranks of football's elite nations. With future qualifiers and tournaments on the horizon, success in this mission is critical for restoring the prestige of Italian football worldwide.
The resignation of Gabriele Gravina signals a critical juncture for Italian football, especially in light of the national team's recent struggles. As the federation seeks a new leader, there are growing calls for stability and continuity within the coaching staff. In this context, the Italian football chief has emphasized the importance of securing Gennaro Gattuso's position amidst these challenges. For more on this developing situation, see how the federation is addressing the aftermath of Italy's third consecutive World Cup failure in our detailed coverage here.