US Edition
Devastated Italians Reckon with 'Third Apocalypse' of World Cup Failure
- On Tuesday in Zenica, Italy missed the 2026 World Cup after losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a 1-1 draw in the playoff final.
- This third straight absence follows eliminations by Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022; the Azzurri's trajectory has declined since their 2006 World Cup title.
- Reduced to 10 men after defender Alessandro Bastoni's early red card, Italy equalized through Moise Kean's goal to force penalties, but Francesco Esposito and Bryan Cristiante missed their shootout attempts.
- Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called for FIGC president Gabriele Gravina to resign, saying "It's evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled," while coach Gennaro Gattuso tearfully admitted, "I'm sorry I couldn't make it happen."
- Critic Roberto Saviano pointed to structural failures in Italian football, alleging "clubs are corrupt," while coaches have complained that Serie A refuses to adjust schedules for adequate training camps.
101 Articles
101 Articles
After another missed World Cup finale, the top of the Italian Football Association declared its resignation. President Gravina had come under political pressure.
The president of the Football Association of Italy, Gabriele Gravina, resigned after political pressure, after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.
The historic exarchist, champion in 2006, was head of the Azzurra team.In an extensive message he spoke of the coup that left him defeat with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Earlier the head of the Italian Federation had left his post.
Gabriele Gravina is no longer president of the Italian Football Association. As the Federation announced on Thursday, the 72-year-old has resigned from his position. Coach Genarro Gattuso is likely to be next ... After the missed World Cup qualification – the third in series – numerous top politicians, including Sport Minister Andrea Abodi, had demanded Gravina's resignation. "It is obvious that Italian football must be rebuilt. This process mus…
After Debacle in World Cup-Quali - Italy's Head of Association Gravina and Sport Chief Buffon Resign
The recent missing of the World Cup finals has consequences for the officials of the Italian Football Association.
Rutland Herald
Ottumwa CourierItaly soccer president and delegation chief Buffon resign after another World Cup failure
Italy's soccer federation president has resigned amid political pressure after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Gabriele Gravina’s decision was quickly followed by Gianluigi Buffon also stepping down as the national team’s delegation chief…
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