Rome – Italian soccer has a new leader: Giovanni Malagò has been elected president of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). With 68.58 percent of the vote, the former CONI president clearly defeated his only opponent, Giancarlo Abete, at the election assembly in Rome. Malagò faces a difficult challenge—after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, he is tasked with leading Italian soccer out of a deep crisis.
A Clear Vote Against Abete
Only two candidates ran to succeed the outgoing Gabriele Gravina. Alongside Malagò was Giancarlo Abete, who had previously served as FIGC president from 2007 to 2014 and is currently chairman of the amateur league, the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti. While Abete relied primarily on the support of amateur soccer, Malagò went into the vote as the favorite: he had the backing of Serie A, Serie B, and the associations of coaches and professional players. In a secret ballot, the result was ultimately clear-cut—Malagò received 68.58 percent of the vote, while Abete received 29.17 percent. His term, which he assumes midway through the current term, will last two years.
In his first address to the assembly, the new president struck a humble tone: He said he could accomplish nothing on his own, but together with everyone involved, they could achieve anything. Malagò emphasized that he was no outsider, but rather a „son of the FIGC“—a reference to his 21 years at the helm of the Circolo Canottieri Aniene rowing club and thus to his roots in amateur sports. At the same time, a new national executive committee was appointed, which includes internationally renowned figures such as Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Marotta.
A Heavy Legacy After the World Cup Exit
The election became necessary because Gabriele Gravina had resigned after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup. Italy’s national team had failed to reach the World Cup finals for the third time in a row—a setback that shook the entire system. In his farewell speech, Gravina defended his record: He said his resignation was a well-considered, painful, but responsible decision, and that he was leaving office with a clear conscience. He admitted to having made mistakes, but insisted he had always acted in the best interests of Italian soccer.
The outgoing president had harsh words for policymakers: The government had not invested a single euro in youth development and had recently even eliminated the only statutory source of funding for talent development. Gravina warned that the problems facing soccer cannot be solved by a mere change at the top, but only through far-reaching reforms, investment in youth, and constructive cooperation with policymakers.
First challenge: the new national team coach
For Malagò, the work begins immediately. The most urgent task is to appoint a new national team coach who can get the Azzurri back on track. The new president said he has not yet made a decision on this matter. He has not spoken to anyone yet, but the issue will now be addressed. First, however, it is necessary to examine a few areas of weakness and, above all, the federation’s financial situation.
Also on the agenda are a reform of the league system, the issue of referees, and—as a key priority for the future—the development of young Italian players. Malagò suggested that the German model, with its strong club structure, could serve as a guide; by contrast, the Italian federation’s training centers are not functioning effectively. However, a foreign system cannot be applied one-to-one—solutions must be found that fit the Italian context.
Malagò Seeks to Forge a Partnership with Politicians
The new FIGC president wants to quickly mend the strained relationship with politicians. Malagò explained that he maintains excellent ties with them. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi was one of the first to call him, and a meeting has already been scheduled for this coming Friday. Abodi himself offered his congratulations and announced his intention to work with the new president to bring Italian soccer back to the forefront.
Malagò took a clear stance in the debate over naturalized players: He supports easier citizenship under the principle of ius soli, arguing that otherwise promising players would be lost to other federations. Another major project is hosting the 2032 European Championship: Five stadiums still need to be finalized, and he has already held initial talks with UEFA leadership. For its part, UEFA urged Italy to invest in infrastructure and create a sustainable legacy for future generations.
