Italian football is entering a decisive and delicate phase, with just 81 days to choose the next president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The countdown began on April 2 and will end with the federation’s elections on June 22, following yet another major disappointment for the national team: failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The crisis deepened after the official resignation of Gabriele Gravina, opening the field to a new leadership contest at one of the most difficult moments in recent Italian football history. Among the leading names being discussed is Giovanni Malagò, currently one of the most influential figures in Italian sport. Already president of CONI, Italy’s National Olympic Committee, and head of the foundation behind the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Malagò is seen by many - especially Serie A clubs - as the most experienced option to guide the federation through its next chapter.
Also in the frame is Giancarlo Abete, who previously served as FIGC president from 2007 to 2014. Abete is still remembered by some as a capable administrator, despite resigning after Italy’s early exit from the 2014 World Cup. Another possible candidate is Matteo Marani, the current president of Lega Pro, which governs Serie C, Italy’s third professional division. Marani is viewed as a reform-minded figure, particularly attentive to the financial and structural challenges faced by lower-division clubs.
Former Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, reportedly enjoying support from parts of the footballing community, especially among former players. In the weeks ahead, candidates are expected to formally present their programmes and visions for the future of the game. Whoever takes over will face a daunting challenge: rebuilding confidence in a football system shaken by sporting failures, institutional uncertainty and long-standing structural problems.