The football world is reeling from a significant upset as the Italy national team has officially failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their hopes were definitively dashed in a dramatic European zone play-off final, where they were eliminated by Bosnia-Herzegovina following a tense penalty shootout.
This marks a concerning trend for the Azzurri, as it is their third consecutive failure to reach the prestigious World Cup finals, having also missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions. The repeated absence of one of football’s most decorated nations from its premier tournament sends shockwaves across the sport.
In the immediate aftermath of this profound disappointment, Gabriele Gravina, the President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), announced his resignation. His departure comes directly following the Italy national team’s inability to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup finals, underscoring the gravity of the qualification failure.
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The FIGC confirmed that Gravina’s resignation was formally announced during a meeting held at the federation’s headquarters in Rome on Thursday, local time, with the news released publicly on Friday. Addressing various competition representatives, including Ezio Maria Simonelli from Serie A and Paolo Bedin from Serie B, Gravina conveyed his decision. During this pivotal meeting, he also extended his gratitude to the federal bodies for their unwavering public and private support throughout his tenure.
Furthermore, Gravina indicated his willingness to appear before the House of Representatives’ Committee VII for Culture, Science, and Education on April 8. There, he intends to present a comprehensive report on the current state of Italian football.
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This parliamentary session will provide President Gravina with an opportunity to deliver a thorough and exhaustive account of the sport’s strengths and weaknesses. He is also expected to delve into several key issues previously addressed during a press conference held after the national team’s match in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31.
Looking ahead, the process to select Gravina’s successor is already underway, with the election for the new FIGC president scheduled for June 22 of this year. (Antara/JPNN)
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Summary
The Italy national team has failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament. Their hopes were dashed after being eliminated by Bosnia-Herzegovina in a dramatic European zone play-off final following a tense penalty shootout. This significant upset has sent shockwaves across the football world.
In the immediate aftermath of this disappointment, Gabriele Gravina, the President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), announced his resignation. His departure is a direct consequence of the national team’s inability to secure a spot in the World Cup finals. The process to select Gravina’s successor is underway, with the election scheduled for June 22 of this year.