Malagò Elected FIGC President Amidst Italy's Historic World Cup Qualification Crisis

Giovanni Malagò has been formally elected as the new president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), securing 68.58% of the votes on June 22, 2026. His ascension to the top of Italian football governance comes at a moment of profound introspection and urgent reform, as the national team grapples with an unprecedented period of underperformance on the global stage.

The election of Malagò follows a tumultuous period for Italian football, marked most significantly by the Azzurri's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup. This marks the third consecutive World Cup tournament that Italy, a four-time champion, has missed, having also been absent from the 2018 and 2022 editions. The historic drought prompted a wave of resignations, including former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, national team coach Gennaro Gattuso, and team general manager Gianluigi BuffonPlayer·Gianluigi Buffon, all stepping down in April 2026 following the 2026 World Cup qualification setback.

Italy's path to the 2026 tournament was cut short after finishing second in their qualification group with 18 points, behind leaders NorwayTeam·Norway, who secured a perfect record of eight wins. The decisive blow came in a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, sealing their fate and underscoring the depth of the crisis facing the sport in the nation.

Malagò brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) from 2013 to 2025. He also played a pivotal role in leading the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics organizing committee. His candidacy for the FIGC presidency garnered significant support from key stakeholders, including clubs in Serie ACompetition·Serie A and Serie BCompetition·Serie B, as well as the coaches' and players' associations, signaling a collective desire for unity and a fresh direction.

Upon his election, Malagò articulated a clear vision for the future, emphasizing his long-standing dedication to Italian sports. "My purpose has always been to make Italy great," he stated, outlining a plan focused on revitalizing football academies and modernizing stadium infrastructure across the country. This strategic emphasis aligns with calls from prominent figures like Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who publicly backed Malagò and has been a vocal advocate for radical restructuring within Italian football, particularly criticizing the current 20-team Serie ACompetition·Serie A format for its perceived negative impact on player development and the national team.

Immediate priorities for the new president include the crucial task of appointing a new national team coach. Several high-profile names are reportedly under consideration, including former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, as well as Massimiliano Allegri. Ambitious discussions have also surfaced regarding the potential for Paolo Maldini to lead Club ItaliaTeam·Club Italia and even a speculative, albeit challenging, move to secure Pep Guardiola as coach.

Beyond the immediate coaching search, Malagò's tenure will be defined by the imperative to guide the national team back to major tournaments. Qualification for the 2028 European Championship stands as a primary objective. Furthermore, Italy is set to co-host Euro 2032Competition·Euro 2032 with TurkeyTeam·Turkey, a commitment that comes with its own set of challenges. UEFACompetition·UEFA chief Aleksander CeferinCoach·Aleksander Ceferin has expressed concerns regarding the condition of Italian football stadiums, describing them as "some of the worst in Europe," and has indicated that Italy could risk losing its co-hosting rights if significant improvements are not made. This adds another layer of urgency to Malagò's reform agenda.

Italy's recent form in the 2025/26 season, particularly during their World Cup qualification campaign, has been inconsistent. Notable results include a 1-4 loss against NorwayTeam·Norway in November 2025, followed by a 2-0 win against Northern IrelandTeam·Northern Ireland and a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2026. In friendly matches in June 2026, the team secured two 1-0 victories against Luxembourg and GreeceTeam·Greece. As of June 11, 2026, Italy holds the 12th position in the FIFACompetition·FIFA World Rankings, reflecting the significant work ahead for the new leadership.