It was yet another nightmare for the Italian national football team, as they failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking the third consecutive time they have missed out on the tournament. Italy suffered a crucial defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifiers, which confirmed their absence from the 48-team World Cup set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. Following the disappointing exit, the federation made a tough decision, sacking head coach Gennaro Gattuso in the aftermath of the heartbreak.
Gattuso’s departure came a day after FIGC president Gabriele Gravina resigned, with national team delegation head Gianluigi Buffon also stepping down from his role. “With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national team to be over,” Gattuso said in a statement.
🚨𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Italian football in crisis! After missing their 𝟑𝐫𝐝 straight World Cup: ❌🇮🇹
▪️Gennaro Gattuso ➡️ leaves as head coach.
▪️Gianluigi Buffon ➡️ resigns as Head of Delegation.
▪️Gabriele Gravina ➡️ steps down as FIGC President. pic.twitter.com/NMMmgAj8xl— FÚTBOL HUB (@futbol_hubX) April 3, 2026
“The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why it is right to facilitate future technical assessments with immediate effect. “It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of lads who have shown commitment and loyalty to the shirt.”
Gattuso was appointed in June on a one-year contract, replacing Luciano Spalletti who was sacked following Italy’s 3-0 defeat by Norway in their opening group game, although he remained in place for the 2-0 win over Moldova the next day.
Italy won their next five group games under Gattuso, but given Norway’s far superior goal difference, they were resigned to another World Cup playoff before the final group game, which Norway won 4-1 at the San Siro.
Italy had lost at the playoff stage of the last two World Cups, but looked on course to make it this time after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the semi-final, before it all fell apart in Bosnia. Gattuso’s 10-man team let slip a 1-0 lead and crumbled in the penalty shootout.
More Resignations After Italy’s FIFA World Cup Heartbreak
Just after two days of the loss, the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina resigned on Thursday, in the wake of the national team’s failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup.
Gravina, in charge of the FIGC since 2018, had been urged by the government to step down after Italy’s defeat on penalties in the playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
The federation will hold an extraordinary assembly on June 22 to elect a new chief, while Gravina offered to appear before a parliamentary committee on April 8 “to report on the state of health of Italian soccer”, a statement said. That hearing has now been cancelled, as the committee awaits the election outcome.
The Italian soccer team last qualified for the World Cup in 2014 and has won only one match at the finals since lifting the trophy for the fourth time in 2006. Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, national team delegation head, has also announced his resignation via social media.
Gravina was elected unopposed in October 2018, the 72-year-old replacing Carlo Tavecchio who resigned a week after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“After many years there is a feeling of great bitterness, but great serenity,” Gravina told reporters. “I must thank all the federal components who today have shown me great affection, support and closeness today, also insisting that I continue, but my personal choice was made with conviction and careful consideration.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
