Giovanni Malagò elected president of Italy’s football federation

Giovanni Malagò, former CONI chief and head of the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics organising committee, was elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) with 68.58% of the votes, defeating Giancarlo Abete. He replaces Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down after Italy’s national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Malagò, 67, said the sport is “completely fossilised” and outlined his priorities: naming a successor to coach Gennaro Gattuso, reforming youth‑player development, and overseeing preparations for Euro 2032, which Italy will co‑host with Turkey. In his first press conference he reiterated personal support for Serie A club AS Roma, noting, “what matters is how you conduct yourself,” and citing Prince William’s public celebrations of Aston Villa as an example.

His election signals a shift toward a more institutional approach to managing Italian football amid recent on‑field disappointments.