Italy misses third straight World Cup, fans protest as new federation president elected

Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the third consecutive tournament without the Azzurra in the finals. Ahead of the FIGC presidential vote, a group of around 30 ultras gathered outside the federation’s headquarters in Rome, wearing black and chanting slogans such as “For a fair, fan‑focused football,” to denounce the governing body’s handling of the sport.

Giovanni Malagò was elected FIGC president with more than 68% of the vote, succeeding Gabriele Gravina, who cited the lack of Italian players in Serie A – only 89 of the 284 registered players this season – and the loss of tax credits as factors behind the national team’s decline. The federation now faces the task of appointing a new coach, with names like Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini mentioned, while many fans express disengagement, exemplified by a recent poll showing 19% of Italians will not watch the World Cup and a Rai audience of 3.8 million for a single match.