Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout on Tuesday, prompting the resignation of Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina. Gravina, who has led the FIGC since 2018, announced his resignation on Thursday following mounting pressure, including a public call from Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi. The national team's elimination occurred despite a 1-1 draw in regular time, with Italy missing crucial penalties in the decisive shootout. Prior to the announcement, Gravina had stated he would not step down, insisting a board meeting would determine his future. Abodi, however, emphasized the need for structural change, saying, "It's clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and that starts with changes at the top of the FIGC."
When Abodi says Italian football must be rebuilt from the ground up, he is not just citing a string of losses — he is admitting systemic collapse. Gravina's exit after three World Cup failures, including a humiliating playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, confirms that leadership continuity cannot survive repeated national embarrassment. This is not a reset — it is a surrender to reality.