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Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon resigned from his role with the Italian Football Federation. The delegation chief stepped down on Thursday. Consequently, his exit followed the resignation of federation president Gabriele Gravina amid Italy’s failure to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final. The Azzurri fell on penalties two days earlier. As a result, the defeat triggered widespread calls for change within the federation.
Gianluigi Buffon announced his decision on social media. He revealed that he wanted to resign immediately after the Bosnia match. However, the federation asked him to delay the move for a few days.
He said “Submitting my resignation a minute after the end of the game against Bosnia was an impulsive act which came from the deepest part of my being.”
Additionally, Buffon added “Now that president Gravina has decided to step aside I feel free to do what I consider a responsible act because although I sincerely believe that we built a lot in terms of team spirit with Rino Gattuso and all his staff in the little time available to the national team the main objective was to take Italy back to the World Cup and we did not achieve it.”
