Skip to content
Flags are seen at half mast at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) building as a sign of respect for late soccer player Paolo Rossi in Rome, Italy, 10 December 2020. Paolo Rossi died aged 64 on 09 December 2020. As part of FIFA’s 100th anniversary, in 2004 Rossi was named as one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO PERI
The Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their candidate for the FIGC Presidential election today, with Giovanni Malagò reportedly favourite over Giancarlo Abete.
- Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here
Today will be a key day in the FIGC Presidential election, even if the new Italian FA Chief will only be voted on June 22, 2026.
As reported by Gazzetta, the Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their favourite candidate today, Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Italian players and coaches to choose FIGC Presidential candidate
Both Malagò and Abete, who have yet to confirm they’ll run for the presidency officially, have already met the components taking part in the election in less than two months.
Italian coach and player associations contribute 30% of the votes: coaches account for 20%, while players make up the remaining 10%.
According to the report, Malagò appears to be the favourite over Abete, who already served as the FIGC President between 2007 and 2014, when he resigned following Italy’s elimination from the World Cup played in Brazil.
Malagò’s successful tenure as President of CONI and the potentialappointment of a former footballer to his staff are viewed as the key factors giving Malagò a slight advantage over Abete.
Serie A clubs, who account for 18% of votes in the FIGC Presidential election, have already picked Malagò as their main candidate; while LND, who have chosen their President Abete, hold 34% of the votes.
Victory is determined when a candidate reaches the ‘absolute majority’, so half plus one of the total votes.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
