Key Takeaways:
- Italy failed to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the play-off final on Tuesday evening
- Reports indicate that Gennaro Gattuso will step down as Italy national team head coach, with Gianluigi Buffon also set to leave his role as delegation chief
- Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri are reportedly the leading contenders to become the new Italy head coach
The Azzurri’s Ongoing World Cup Struggles
Italy’s national team has once again fallen short of World Cup qualification, missing out on a place at the 2026 tournament after finishing second in their qualification group. Their campaign ended in disappointment on Tuesday evening, as Bosnia and Herzegovina triumphed over the Azzurri via penalties in the play-off final.
This marks the third consecutive World Cup for which Italy has failed to qualify, extending a drought that began after their last appearance in 2014. The team has not secured a World Cup knock-out stage victory since the famous 2006 final win over France.
π¨ ππ¨π¦π§ ππ‘: There are going to be a lot of changes in the Italian national team and Federation.
Head coach Gattuso and the president of the federation Gabriele Gravina will resign in the coming hours.
Gianluigi Buffon will also resign. Roberto Mancini has been⦠pic.twitter.com/6M7BEvKuhi
— The Touchline | π (@TouchlineX) April 2, 2026
Major Departures Confirmed Amid Disappointment
The aftermath of Italy’s latest setback is set to bring significant changes to the team’s leadership. Gennaro Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti following the second match of the 2026 World Cup qualification last summer, is expected to resign as head coach, according to multiple Italian sources, among them Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Gianluigi Buffon, who joined the national team set-up as delegation chief in August 2023 and played a key role in Gattuso’s appointment, is also set to depart his position.
Potential Successors to the Head Coach Role
Initial reports from Italian media suggest there are two leading candidates for the head coach vacancy: Antonio Conte, who previously managed the national side, and Massimiliano Allegri, who is currently less than a year into his second spell as Milan manager. Both, however, remain under contract with their respective Serie A clubs.
Looking Ahead
As Italy comes to terms with another missed opportunity on the global stage, the next steps in appointing a new coaching team will be crucial for the future direction of the national side.
