Italy FIGC resignation call intensifies as Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urges leadership change after Italy fails to qualify for the World Cup again

Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has called for the resignation of Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina following the national team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

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The development follows Italy’s dramatic elimination in the play-offs, where the Azzurri were defeated in a penalty shoot-out against Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending hopes of reaching the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Italy FIGC resignation call has intensified political and sporting tensions in the country, with Abodi insisting that the federation requires urgent structural reform starting from its leadership.

“It’s clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and that starts with changes at the top of the FIGC,” Abodi said, stressing the need for accountability after repeated failures on the international stage.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, however, has refused to step down, stating that he will remain in office pending a board meeting scheduled for next week to determine his future.

Gravina also criticised what he described as a lack of institutional support from the Italian state, triggering further backlash from government officials and sporting figures.

The dispute has widened into a broader debate over Italy’s sporting priorities, with Abodi rejecting comments that downplayed the professionalism of other sports and Olympic athletes.

Italy’s recent success across multiple disciplines, including a record medal haul at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and strong performances at the Paris 2024 Games, has further fuelled the controversy.

The political tension has also drawn reactions from elite athletes, with some pushing back against remarks that appeared to diminish achievements outside football.

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As pressure mounts, Italian football now faces a critical period of reflection, with leadership decisions expected to shape the direction of the national team ahead of future competitions.