Buffon and Gravina Resign Following Italy's Third Consecutive World Cup Failure

"We didn't succeed. It's fair to leave it to those who will come after," Gianluigi Buffon posted on Instagram following Italy's heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. By Thursday, both the legendary goalkeeper and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina had stepped down from their positions.

The Azzurri will be absent from the 2026 World Cup, marking an unprecedented three straight tournaments without Italy — missing 2018, 2022, and now 2026. The last time Italy actually competed at a World Cup finals and won a match was over a decade ago, highlighting the depth of the national team's decline.

Italian football federation in crisis mode

Gravina assumed control of the FIGC in 2018, replacing Carlo Tavecchio who resigned after Italy's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The recurring pattern extends far beyond any single administrator's time in office. While Gravina enjoyed temporary immunity after Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, two World Cup qualification failures proved too much for the Italian government to tolerate. Despite being re-elected as recently as February 2025 with a mandate extending through 2028, Gravina chose to resign rather than face removal.

"After many years there is a feeling of great bitterness, but great serenity," Gravina stated to the media. The federation has scheduled an extraordinary assembly for June 22 to select his successor. Early frontrunners include former CONI chief Giovanni Malagò, 67, and ex-FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, 75, who previously led the organization from 2007 through 2014.

Buffon's departure carried more emotional weight. The 2006 World Cup champion had submitted his resignation immediately following the Bosnia defeat but was initially asked to delay. Once Gravina announced his exit, Buffon followed suit. The Italian icon departs having been unable to accomplish the mission that meant everything to him — returning Italy to football's biggest stage.

Coaching carousel set to begin

The managerial situation now demands immediate attention. Gennaro Gattuso's contract expires this June, and with new FIGC leadership arriving, a complete overhaul appears inevitable. Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri have emerged as potential successors. Both are currently unattached, both command substantial salaries, and both represent distinctly different tactical approaches for what Italian football believes it must evolve into.

Italy's Sports Minister Andrea Abodi characterized this as a "definitive defeat" and declared that Italian football requires a complete "rebuild from the ground up." This isn't empty political speak. The national team hasn't won a knockout round match at a World Cup since their 2006 championship run. Whatever success at the European level temporarily masked, back-to-back qualification failures have now fully revealed.

The betting odds on any incoming manager quickly reversing this decline aren't favourable. The systemic issues — a Serie A that has fallen behind both commercially and competitively, and a youth development pipeline that no longer consistently produces world-class technical talent — cannot be resolved in a single qualification cycle. Whoever assumes Gravina's position on June 22 inherits a legitimate organizational crisis, not merely a disappointing result.

Gravina managed to create additional controversy during his departure. When questioned why Italy succeeds in other sports but struggles in football, he suggested it was because other disciplines remain amateur while football operates professionally. Italian athletes across multiple sports responded furiously on social media. Olympic bronze medallist boxer Irma Testa fired back: "We are the real professionals." The FIGC subsequently issued a damage-control clarification. Hardly the graceful exit of someone who maintained respect and authority.