FIGC
Italian football's governing body; presidential election 22 June after Malagò eligibility challenge.
Last refreshed: 6 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Does Malagò survive the pantouflage challenge to reach the 22 June ballot?
Timeline for FIGC
Italy minister challenges Malago election eligibility
2026 FIFA World CupReceived Malagò's candidacy filing ahead of the 22 June election
2026 FIFA World Cup: Cooling-off rule could void Malago's FIGC bidReceived both presidential candidacies on 14 May ahead of 22 June Elective Assembly
2026 FIFA World Cup: Malagò past 50% as FIGC candidacies filed for 22 JuneItaly two votes from a pre-vote majority
2026 FIFA World CupAIC and AIAC swing to Malagò
2026 FIFA World Cup- Who is running to replace Gravina as FIGC president?
- The race includes Giovanni Malagò (frontrunner, backed by Serie A clubs), Paolo Maldini (pushed by Sports Minister Abodi), Alessandro Del Piero, and Demetrio Albertini. Candidates must declare by 13 May; the election is 22 June 2026.Source: FIGC / La Stampa
- Why did Italy miss the 2026 World Cup?
- Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 31 March 2026. The structural cause is Serie A giving only 1.9% of minutes to U21 players, leaving managers with underprepared national talent.Source: FIGC written report
- What is the FIGC?
- The Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio — Italy's national football federation, founded in 1898, governing the national team and all professional football in Italy.Source: FIGC
- Could Italy lose Euro 2032 co-hosting rights?
- Yes. UEFA president Ceferin warned Italy on 2 April that co-hosting rights depend on urgent stadium infrastructure upgrades.Source: UEFA / FIGC
- Who will be the next FIGC president after Gravina?
- Giovanni Malagò leads with 48% of confirmed FIGC assembly votes, but faces an eligibility challenge from Sports Minister Abodi citing pantouflage rules. A ruling is due 15 June. The election is 22 June 2026 in Rome.Source: Lowdown
- Why did Gabriele Gravina resign as FIGC president?
- Gravina resigned on 2 April 2026 following Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence after a 4-1 penalty loss to Bosnia. Sports Minister Abodi, senator Lotito, and the Lega Calcio demanded his exit simultaneously.Source: Lowdown
- What is the FIGC election voting structure?
- 274 delegates vote. Blocs include Serie A (18%), AIC/players (20%), AIAC/coaches (10%), Lega B (6%), Lega Pro (12%), and Lega Dilettanti/LND (34%). A candidate needs a majority threshold; Malagò's confirmed 48% bloc needs Lega B and/or Lega Pro to win outright.Source: Lowdown
- Why has Italy missed three consecutive World Cups?
- Gravina's 8 April 2026 report blamed structural failure: Serie A ranks 49th of 50 leagues for under-21 minutes (1.9%). Foreign players hold 67.9% of Serie A minutes. Coach Gattuso had fewer than 15 training sessions across ten months before the Bosnia defeat.Source: FIGC / Lowdown
- Is Malagò eligible to run for FIGC president?
- That is under formal review. Sports Minister Abodi challenged his eligibility on 4 June, citing a three-year cooling-off rule. Malagò Left CONI in June 2025, one year before the election. ANAC and CONI's Collegio di Garanzia must rule by 15 June.Source: Lowdown
Background
The FIGC (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) is Italy's governing body for football, responsible for the national team, professional leagues, and grassroots development. Founded in 1898 and a FIFA member since 1905, it is one of Europe's oldest football federations. Italy are four-time World Cup winners (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and qualified for every tournament until 2018. An extraordinary assembly of 274 delegates elects the president at the Palazzo dei Congressi, Rome.
Italy's 4-1 penalty defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 31 March 2026 confirmed a third consecutive World Cup absence under FIGC's watch, a record unmatched by any former world champion. President Gabriele Gravina resigned on 2 April after simultaneous demands from Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, senator Claudio Lotito, and the Lega Calcio. Gravina's cancelled parliamentary hearing produced a structural crisis report on 8 April: Serie A ranks 49th of 50 leagues for under-21 player minutes, at just 1.9%; foreign players hold 67.9% of all Serie A minutes.
The presidential election is scheduled for 22 June 2026 in Rome. Giovanni Malagò emerged as frontrunner with a confirmed 48% bloc (Serie A 18%, AIC 20%, AIAC 10%). On 4 June, Sports Minister Abodi sent a formal request to ANAC and CONI's Collegio di Garanzia challenging whether Malagò is eligible under a three-year pantouflage cooling-off rule. Malagò Left the CONI presidency in June 2025, one year before the vote. A ruling is due by 15 June, one week before the Federal Council assembly. Rival candidate Giancarlo Abete holds the 34% Lega Dilettanti bloc.