ROME – Italian football is bracing for significant change following the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi has publicly called for a complete restructuring of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), starting with the resignation of current president Gabriele Gravina. The move comes after Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout during the World Cup play-off final on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive time the Azzurri have missed out on the tournament.
“I thank the team and the coach for the commitment they showed last night, but it’s evident that Italian football needs to be rebuilt, and this process must start with a renewal of the FIGC leadership,” Abodi stated in a statement released Wednesday morning. The Minister’s comments underscore the depth of disappointment felt across the nation, particularly given football’s cultural significance in Italy. He emphasized that football, while a sport, holds a unique place in Italian society, serving as a source of national pride and communal identity.
Abodi acknowledged the weight of expectation placed upon the national team, especially during times of economic and military challenges. “Football is a sport, and in times of military and economic crisis like these, it should not be burdened with excessive meanings. This proves undeniable that football is more than just a sport, especially in Italy, where it has become part of popular culture, a communal ritual, and a source of international prestige,” he said.
The call for change is particularly poignant given that an entire generation of young Italians will now grow up without experiencing the excitement of watching their national team compete in a World Cup. “It saddens me to consider that there is an entire generation of children and young people who have yet to experience the thrill of watching the national team play in a World Cup,” Abodi added.
While Gravina has so far resisted calls to step down, he is facing mounting pressure from all sides. He was re-elected in February 2025 with an overwhelming 98.68% of the vote, but the recent sporting failure has dramatically shifted the landscape. Abodi is reportedly planning to personally request Gravina’s resignation, drawing a parallel to previous instances where FIGC presidents stepped down after similar setbacks. “Giancarlo Abete before and then Carlo Tavecchio, after the failures of the National Team, left because they had a ‘renewal of dignity’,” Abodi stated, according to reports from CalcioNapoli24.it.
The situation is further complicated by reactions within the football community. Former Juventus executive Luciano Moggi has been particularly vocal, suggesting Gravina should “return to Castel di Sangro,” a reference to a period when Gravina was involved with a lower-league club. Moggi also stated, as reported by TuttoNapoli.net, that Italian football “ended” with the onset of the Calciopoli scandal in 2006.
The sentiment of frustration and disappointment extends beyond official statements. Social media has been flooded with reactions, ranging from shock and disbelief to outright anger. The hashtag #GravinaDimettiti (Gravina Resign) is trending on Italian Twitter, reflecting the widespread demand for change. Russell Crowe, the actor and part-owner of a professional soccer team, even posted on social media, calling it “a dark day for Italy. Again,” as reported by La Repubblica.
Abodi’s direct approach to Gravina signals a determination to enact meaningful change within Italian football. The Minister’s insistence on a “renewal of dignity” echoes sentiments expressed by many fans and observers who believe a fresh perspective is needed to address the systemic issues plaguing the sport. The coming days will be crucial as Italy navigates this period of uncertainty and seeks a path back to international success.
The next steps remain unclear, but Abodi’s intervention has undoubtedly set the stage for a period of intense scrutiny and potential upheaval within the FIGC. The focus now shifts to Gravina’s response and whether he will heed the Minister’s call for his resignation. The future of Italian football hangs in the balance.
The FIGC has not yet released an official response to Abodi’s statements as of Wednesday afternoon. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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