Rome, April 2, 2026 Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, resigned with immediate effect on Tuesday following Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gravina’s departure comes amid mounting pressure from Italy’s government and opposition, who had jointly called for his resignation. Gianluigi Buffon, the national team’s sports director, also stepped down from his role on the same day. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi emphasized the need for systemic reform, stating that Italian football must "start with the renewal of the federation's leadership." Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to address the crisis in parliament soon. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin defended Gravina, shifting blame to political leaders. "Politicians are more to blame for the problems in Italian football than Gravina," Čeferin said. The resignations mark a turbulent period for Italian football, which has faced criticism over management and performance since missing the 2022 World Cup. No immediate successors for Gravina or Buffon have been announced.