Gianluigi Buffon resigns as Italy delegation head after World Cup failure
Gianluigi Buffon has resigned from his role as head of delegation for the Italian national team following the country's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The former goalkeeper announced his decision on social media on Thursday, stating that his primary objective had been to return Italy to the World Cup stage, a goal that was not achieved.
Buffon, who had served in the position since 2023, was a key figure within the setup, acting as a point of reference for players and assisting head coach Gennaro Gattuso with squad management. His departure follows the resignation earlier on Thursday of Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), plunging the governing body into further crisis after the seismic qualifying failure.
In a post on X, the Juventus legend explained his reasoning. "Even though I am convinced I contributed a lot in terms of team spirit and cohesion with Rino Gattuso and all the staff, the main objective was to bring Italy back to the World Cup. And we did not succeed," Buffon wrote. "It is right to leave to those who come after me the freedom to choose the person they deem most suitable for my position."
The immediate trigger for the resignations was Italy's decisive 1-0 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, which confirmed their elimination from World Cup qualifying. Buffon indicated that handing in his resignation "one minute after the end of the match against Bosnia was an urgent act, which came from deep within me."
Buffon's tenure with the national team spanned an era of extreme highs and lows. As a player, he was a cornerstone of the squad that won the 2006 World Cup, making a record 176 appearances for the Azzurri. His transition into a managerial role was seen as a move to instill his winning mentality and vast experience into a new generation, following the shock failure to qualify for the 2022 tournament.
Attention now turns to the future of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, who is widely expected to be the next casualty of the failed campaign. According to reports from Italian media, the federation is already drawing up a list of potential replacements, with several high-profile names in contention to take over a team that will be absent from a second consecutive World Cup.
The dual resignations of Gravina and Buffon represent a total clear-out at the top of Italian football, signaling a period of profound introspection and rebuilding. The FIGC must now navigate a leadership vacuum while appointing a new coach to guide the four-time world champions through a necessary period of renewal. Buffon's exit removes a stabilizing and iconic presence, leaving the Azzurri to face an uncertain future without two of its most recognizable figures.
