FIGC chief urges Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon to remain in their national team positions

Italy endured a 4-1 loss in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 stalemate in Zenica, marking them as the initial World Cup champions to skip three successive tournaments, with this one scheduled for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"I have requested him to continue and requested (Gianluigi) Buffon to keep leading the football operations," Gabriele Gravina, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, informed journalists.

Buffon occupies a position in the FIGC focused on managing the senior and youth national squads.

Queried on whether he would take up Gravina's offer to stay, Gattuso restated his prior remark to Italian network RAI, claiming it "held no significance".

"The loss stings profoundly," Gattuso commented.

A 2006 World Cup triumph as a player, Gattuso took over in June of the previous year to succeed the dismissed Luciano Spalletti, on a deal ending after the World Cup.

Gravina added that he plans to hold his post, although his role as FIGC leader will come under review during the board gathering next week.