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The unthinkable has become a reality. For the third time in a row, the FIFA World Cup will take place without Italy. Following a devastating penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and legendary delegation head Gianluigi Buffon have officially stepped down, leaving Italian football in a state of total shock.
Italy, once the gold standard of international football, has hit its lowest point in history. After missing Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the Azzurri will now be absent from the 2026 tournament in North America. No former winner has ever suffered such a prolonged period of exile from the world stage.
The Falling Dominoes: Gravina and Buffon Exit
In an emergency meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome, Gabriele Gravina (72) announced his resignation. Despite overseeing the triumph of Euro 2020, Gravina’s tenure will ultimately be defined by the failure to navigate the World Cup qualification path.
Shortly after the announcement, Gianluigi Buffon took to Instagram to confirm his departure. The 2006 World Cup hero cited an “act of responsibility,” stating:
“The main objective was to bring Italy back to the World Cup. And we didn’t succeed. It’s fair to leave it to those who will come after.”
A Dark Record for the Azzurri
Italy’s 4-1 penalty defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina was the final nail in the coffin. The statistics are now haunting for a nation of 60 million football fanatics:
- 12 Years of Absence: By the time the 2030 World Cup arrives, it will have been two decades since Italy last played a knockout match in the tournament (2006).
- Historical Failure: They are the first-ever World Cup winners to miss three consecutive tournaments.
- Managerial Uncertainty: While Gravina reportedly asked current boss Gennaro Gattuso to stay, the impending leadership change puts Gattuso’s future in serious doubt.
What’s Next for Italy?
The FIGC has confirmed that a vote for a new president will take place on June 22, 2026. All eyes are on Giovanni Malagò, the former head of the Italian Olympic Committee, who is seen as the favorite to lead a “total revolution” of the Italian game