Italian Politicians Demand FIGC Resignation After Third Consecutive World Cup Failure

Italy's elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday triggered a political crisis, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi calling for the resignation of FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and demanding a wholesale rebuilding of Italian football. Abodi stated that "Italian football must be refounded and that this process must restart from a renewal of the FIGC leadership." The minister also rejected Gravina's suggestion that political institutions bore some responsibility for the failure, calling it "objectively incorrect to attempt to deny one's own responsibilities regarding the third consecutive failed qualification for the World Cup, accusing the institutions of an alleged non-fulfillment." Gravina, who has led the FIGC since 2018, called a meeting of the federal council to evaluate the situation as pressure from both political and sporting circles intensified. The defeat marked the third consecutive time Italy has failed to qualify for football's premier tournament.

Forty senators demand Gravina's head in formal inquiry A bipartisan group of approximately 40 (senators) — senators signing formal inquiry demanding Gravina's resignation senators filed a formal written inquiry to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Sports Minister Abodi, demanding Gravina's immediate resignation and government intervention in the governance of Italian football. The first signatory was Forza Italia senator Pierantonio Zanettin, and the inquiry drew signatures from both majority and opposition parties. The text asked the government "whether it believes that Gabriele Gravina's continuation at the helm of the FIGC is still politically and institutionally sustainable, and if it does not instead believe it necessary to urge an immediate step back." The senators also requested the government to consider placing the federation under a form of receivership to bring about "a radical change in leadership and the start of concrete reforms of the system." The inquiry further called on the government to present an extraordinary plan for the relaunch of Italian football focused on youth development, grassroots football, technical training, and the economic and financial rebalancing of the system. Senators also urged an urgent parliamentary debate, arguing the failure was "not a mere sporting defeat but a failure that affects one of the most relevant social, cultural, economic and educational heritages of the Nation."

Lawmakers across party lines clash over who bears the blame The debate reached the floor of the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, where lawmakers from across the political spectrum voiced their frustration. Salvatore Caiata of Prime Minister Meloni's Brothers of Italy party formally requested a parliamentary briefing from Abodi on the "failure of Italian football," singling out Gravina for particular criticism. „He stole a dream from our young people — the young generations in their twenties have never watched a World Cup match, the 'notti magiche'” — Salvatore Caiata via ANSA Mauro Berruto of the opposition Democratic Party backed the call for a briefing but framed the issue differently, arguing that Gravina's resignation "should not be requested" but "should be an act of institutional dignity." Marco Grimaldi of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra distanced himself from the Brothers of Italy narrative while still supporting the summoning of Abodi, warning colleagues not to "absolve yourselves of the responsibilities you have." „Gravina's resignation should not be requested; it should be an act of institutional dignity” — Mauro Berruto via ANSA

Five-Star Movement points to structural rot beyond one man Members of the 5-Star Movement on the Lower House's culture committee argued the crisis ran deeper than Gravina's leadership alone, calling for "a complete cleanup" and structural reforms across Italian football. They noted that Gravina had been re-elected in February 2025 with nearly 100 percent of the vote, implying that the federation's internal culture bore collective responsibility. The group pointed to a system they described as "bent to the clubs' interests, focused on granting record commissions — the highest in Europe — to agents and less on developing talent," and questioned why clubs were permitted to prioritize commercial events such as the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia over national team preparation. The criticism extended to league governance, with the lawmakers asking whether the problem lay not only with Gravina but also with those running the football league. Paolo Zampolli, described by Adnkronos as the United States special representative for global partnerships and an Italian citizen, also weighed in, saying the outcome "reflects years of mismanagement within the FIGC, which for over a decade has placed its trust in a leadership that ultimately stifled the growth of Italian football."

Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is the third consecutive time the national team has missed the tournament. Gravina has served as FIGC president since 2018 and was re-elected in February 2025 with nearly 100 percent of the vote within the federation. The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, running from June 11 to July 19, according to Reuters.