Italy’s national football team has entered another period of uncertainty as head coach Gennaro Gattuso officially stepped down following the team’s failure to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This marks a historic setback for the Azzurri, who will miss the global tournament for the third consecutive time.
The Italian Football Federation confirmed Gattuso’s resignation shortly after Italy’s hopes ended in a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they lost via a penalty shootout. The result sealed their elimination and extended a disappointing run for one of football’s most decorated nations.
The coaching exit comes amid broader changes within Italian football leadership. Federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned a day earlier, while legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down from his administrative role with the national team.
Gattuso had taken charge in June last year after Luciano Spalletti’s departure. At the time, Italy were already struggling in the qualification campaign, having suffered an early defeat. Under Gattuso, the team showed brief signs of recovery, including a six-match winning streak, but ultimately fell short of securing automatic qualification and were forced into playoffs.
In his farewell message, Gattuso expressed pride in leading the national side but acknowledged that the team had not achieved its primary objective. He thanked the federation officials players and fans for their support and emphasized the emotional significance of representing Italy.
Italy’s absence from the World Cup continues a worrying trend, with their last appearance dating back to 2014 when they were eliminated in the group stage. Despite their rich footballing history, recent years have seen consistent struggles in major international tournaments.
The federation is now expected to begin the search for a new head coach as Italian football looks to rebuild and return to the global stage.