Gravina resigns as FIGC President after 3rd World Cup failure

Present at the emergency FIGC meeting were Serie A President Ezio Simonelli, Serie B President Paolo Bedin, Serie C President Matteo Marani, President of the amateur leagues Giancarlo Abete, head of the players’ association Umberto Calcagno and head of the coaches’ association Renzo Ulivieri.

Gravina has held the highest position within the Italian football association since October 2018. The Nazionale won Euro 2020 during his tenure, but also failed to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups while he was in charge. Italy had also failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup prior to Gravina’s appointment. 

Gravina was in charge of the Italian federation for the appointments of Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso as head coaches in 2023 and 2025 respectively.

There had been calls from fans and senior figures within Italian football for Gravina to step down from his position as FIGC President in the wake of the latest failure to qualify for the World Cup. 

Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi said on Wednesday that: “it’s evident that Italian football needs to be rebuilt, and this process must start with a renewal of the FIGC leadership.” 

It remains to be seen who will take over the position as the head of the Italian football association. 

Former CONI chief Giovanni Malago is among the early frontrunners, as are the aforementioned Abete and Marani.