Common Questions

What is AIAC in Italian football?: AIAC (Associazione Italiana Allenatori Calcio) is Italy's football coaches' association. It controls 10% of FIGC Federal Council votes, forming a 30% swing bloc with AIC (players) that is decisive in the June 2026 presidential election.
Why does AIAC matter in the 2026 FIGC election?: AIAC's 10%, combined with AIC's 20%, gives the two bodies a joint 30% swing vote. If they align together for one candidate, they determine whether Malagò (Serie A backed) or Abete (grassroots backed) wins the FIGC presidency on 22 June 2026.Source: ANSA
What is the FIGC presidential election about in 2026?: The 22 June 2026 FIGC election pits Giovanni Malagò (Serie A, 18% bloc) against Giancarlo Abete (Lega Dilettanti, 34% bloc plus Lega Pro). The AIC and AIAC swing blocs (30% combined) are the decisive votes; neither candidate had secured their formal endorsement as of 19 April.Source: ANSA
Who did AIAC endorse for FIGC president?: AIAC endorsed Giovanni Malagò, contributing 10% to his confirmed 48% bloc ahead of the 22 June 2026 election.Source: Lowdown
What is the combined AIC and AIAC bloc in the FIGC election?: AIC (players, 20%) and AIAC (coaches, 10%) form a combined 30% swing bloc. Both endorsed Malagò, giving his confirmed bloc 48% as of 11 May 2026.Source: Lowdown

Background

AIAC (Associazione Italiana Allenatori Calcio) is Italy's football coaches' association, representing professional managers and coaching staff. It controls 10% of FIGC votes, forming with AIC (20%) a combined 30% swing bloc that is decisive in the 22 June 2026 FIGC presidential election. Both Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete sought AIAC backing in the week of 14 April; as of 19 April neither had secured a formal endorsement.

AIAC typically follows player welfare concerns rather than club-ownership interests, giving it an ideological profile distinct from both the Malagò (Serie A) and Abete (grassroots) camps. Its decision, alongside AIC's, will determine whether the FIGC presidency goes to a career administrator or the grassroots-federation candidate.

By 11 May 2026, AIAC had formally endorsed Malagò — its 10% forms part of his confirmed 48% bloc. Together with AIC's 20%, the professional associations provide Malagò's base from which he seeks Lega B and Lega Pro to reach 60%+.

How the World Sees Them

FIFA

there is no Plan B, because there is no replacement squad

Brazil

No regrets taking injured Neymar.

South Africa

The performance was not what I expected.

Mexico

Let's see how things develop with the teachers.

Norwegian Football Federation

We are sending this letter alone.

Canada Soccer

day-by-day

Thomas Tuchel / England

A lot of our players last played together in November. We had four training sessions together, then mixed the team up.

UNITE HERE Local 11

Local 11 has widened its dispute with FIFA from the original Immigration and Customs Enforcement carve-out to four explicit demands, filed an NLRB charge and a California AG complaint naming FIFA as co-respondent on Friday 8 May, and rallied with gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer on Tuesday 19 May. The union's framing is that FIFA's silence is now the headline.

Mauricio Pochettino / USMNT

I got a little annoyed... Chris Richards is an important player.