Italy appoints fresh soccer leader following three consecutive World Cup absences

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Italy’s football federation has elected Giovanni Malago as its new president following the country’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup, with the former Olympic chief tasked with leading the four-time world champions out of one of the deepest crises in their history.

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Malago was elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday, defeating Giancarlo Abete with 68.58 per cent of the vote at the federation’s assembly in Rome.

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The 67-year-old businessman and former futsal player succeeds Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after Italy’s shock World Cup qualifying exit in April, a result that extended the Azzurri’s unprecedented absence from football’s biggest tournament.

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Italy, champions in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, have now failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, raising fresh concerns about the state of the national team and the country’s player development system.

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Malago acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing Italian football.

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“The Football Federation must not just administer; it must be a source of inspiration. It is the largest social institution in the country, and not just in terms of numbers,” he said.

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“Our roots must not be a source of nostalgia or a burden; we must turn them into an incentive to look toward a new season — one that is courageous, victorious, humble yet ambitious.”

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His appointment comes at a critical moment for Italian football, with the federation seeking a new direction after a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign that triggered widespread criticism from supporters, politicians and former players.

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The fallout from the qualification failure saw head coach Gennaro Gattuso resign, while former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down as head of the national team delegation.

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Malago’s immediate priorities include appointing a new national team coach, reforming youth development structures and overseeing preparations for Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Turkey.

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Calls for major reform had intensified long before the latest World Cup disappointment, with several prominent figures, including Roberto Baggio, warning that Italy’s talent development system was no longer producing enough elite players.

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Shortly after his election, Malago called for unity across the game.

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“Alone I can do nothing; together we can do everything,” he said.

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Outgoing president Gravina, who had led the federation since 2018, also reflected on his departure.

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“I’ve already said it, I should have left earlier,” Gravina told reporters.

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