- Italy will miss a third consecutive FIFA World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a play-off final
- The head coach of Italy national football team, Gennaro Gattuso, resigned less than a year after taking charge of the national team
- The president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down
Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as head coach of Italy national football team following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking a third consecutive absence that has shaken Italian football to its core.
Gattuso’s resignation comes amid a broader leadership collapse within the Italian football system.
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and national team delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down after the Azzurri’s crushing play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
Italy’s defeat on penalties in Zenica confirmed their absence from yet another World Cup, triggering a wave of resignations that has left the four-time champions in disarray.
Gravina had initially urged Gattuso to remain in charge, but his own resignation, alongside Buffon’s, ultimately paved the way for the coach’s departure.
Gattuso, who took over in June 2025 following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, exits after less than a year in charge.
Spalletti himself had been sacked after a disappointing Euro 2024 title defence and a heavy 3-0 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway in a World Cup qualifier.
Despite recording six wins, one draw, and one defeat in eight matches, with 22 goals scored and 10 conceded, Gattuso’s tenure will ultimately be defined by failure in decisive moments.
That lone draw came in a 1-1 stalemate against Bosnia, which led to the penalty shoot-out defeat that ended Italy’s qualification hopes. His only loss was another humiliating result—a 4-1 defeat to Norway at the San Siro.
Initially viewed as a controversial appointment due to his inconsistent club record, Gattuso faced mounting criticism following the team’s elimination.
In his resignation statement, Gattuso expressed both pride and regret:
"With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set ourselves, I consider my time as coach of the national team to be over. The Azzurri jersey is the most precious asset in football, which is why it's right to facilitate future technical evaluations right from the start.
"I would like to thank President Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon, along with all the Federation's staff, for the trust and support they have always shown me. It has been an honour to lead the national team, and to do so with a group of players who have shown commitment and devotion to the jersey."
Buffon also shared an emotional message after stepping down, revealing he had initially been asked to delay his resignation:
"Resigning just after the end of the match against Bosnia was an urgent act, one that came from deep within me. As spontaneous as the tears that ache in my heart, and which I know I share with all of you. I was asked to stall until everyone had the time to reflect. Now that President Gravina has chosen to step back, I feel free to do what I feel is the responsible act.
"Despite my sincere belief that I have built so much in terms of team spirit with Rino Gattuso and all of my collaborators in the very short time available to the national team, the main objective was to bring Italy back to the World Cup. And we didn’t succeed. I hold everything in my heart, with gratitude for the privilege and the lessons learned, even if it is a painful epilogue. Forza Azzurri sempre."