Buffon and Italian FA President Resign After World Cup Qualification Failure
Italian football is currently navigating a sensitive period marked by tension and instability, amidst a wave of resignations sweeping through the management structures of the Italian Football Federation. This follows the Azzurri's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals for the third consecutive time.
In this context, Gabriele Gravina, President of the Italian Football Federation, announced his resignation from the position he had held since February 2025, during an official meeting held today, Thursday, at the Federation's headquarters in the capital, Rome.
This decision was made during a gathering that included the heads of various components of the football system, among them representatives of professional and amateur leagues, as well as player and coach associations.
Gravina clarified that an extraordinary electoral general assembly is scheduled for June 22 in Rome, in accordance with the Federation's statutes. The aim is to elect new leadership capable of overseeing the next phase, particularly concerning procedures for club registration in professional competitions.
Meanwhile, the Italian football scene received another blow with the announcement by legendary Gianluigi Buffon of his resignation from his role as national team manager, following Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.
In an emotional message, Buffon explained that his decision came immediately after the match against Bosnia, stating that the resignation was “an inevitable decision stemming from his depths,” adding that the primary goal was to bring Italy back to the World Cup, which was not achieved.
Buffon affirmed that it is better to make way for new leadership to choose the right person for the next phase, while emphasizing that representing the national team will always remain a great honor and a passion that has accompanied him since childhood.
