Italy Football Federation's new president announced!

Giovanni Malago, a former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has been elected as the new president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The election took place at an extraordinary general assembly in Rome, convened to select a successor to Gabriele Gravina, who resigned following the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Malago, who served as CONI president from 2013 to 2025, secured a significant victory, garnering 68.5% of the votes against his opponent, Giancarlo Abete, a former FIGC president. At 67 years old, Malago expressed his commitment to returning Italian football to its past successes.

"My only goal has always been to make Italy great," Malago stated after his election. He highlighted his track record with CONI, including leading the Italian Olympic team to its highest medal count at the 2024 Paris Olympics and playing a role in securing the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. "I believe those who supported me believe that what I have achieved can be repeated with the Italian Football Federation," he added.

UEFA Vice President Armand Duka, present at the assembly, reminded attendees of Italy's co-hosting role with Turkey for the 2032 European Championship (EURO 2032). Duka urged state institutions to invest in infrastructure, emphasizing the opportunity to create a lasting legacy and an unforgettable tournament. Italy's recent failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking their third consecutive miss after 2018 and 2022, underscores the challenges ahead for Malago and the FIGC.