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Live sport on SN this weekendArrividerci: Italy football VIPs quit after World Cup woe
Andrew Dampf • April 3rd, 2026 8:26 am
Gianluigi Buffon has quit as Italy's delegation chief after their World Cup qualification failure | Photo: AP
Italy's soccer federation president has resigned amid political pressure, two days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Gabriele Gravina's decision was quickly followed by Gianluigi Buffon stepping down as the national team's delegation chief on Thursday, and will likely also lead to the exit of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called for a change in the country's soccer leadership after Gravina oversaw two sets of disappointing World Cup qualifiers.
Italian Soccer Federation president Gabriele Gravina has resigned | Photo: EPA
"It's evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled, and that process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC (Italian federation)," Abodi had said after Italy's chances ended on Tuesday after a penalty shoot-out loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying play-off.
Buffon was goalkeeper of the World Cup-winning 2006 team and is Italy's record-holder with 176 appearances as a player. He was the force behind Gattuso's hiring.
"It's only fair to leave to those who come after me the freedom of selecting who will replace me," Buffon said.
"Representing the national team is an honour and a passion that has embodied me since I was a kid."
Gravina took charge of the federation in 2018 replacing Carlo Tavecchio, who also stepped down after Italy failed to reach that year's World Cup.
But the defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champions Italy after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying play-offs for the last two World Cups.
Among those being mentioned to replace Gattuso in the likelihood that he departs are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.
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