Gravina Bows Out with Regret and Confidence
Departing FIGC President Gabriele Gravina addressed reporters ahead of Monday's presidential elections, striking a reflective tone as he prepares to hand over the reins of Italian football's governing body. Gravina, who stepped down in March following Italy‘s catastrophic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, admitted he should have walked away sooner but insisted the sport’s future is in capable hands.
“I have to thank you and thank football, it was an amazing experience,” Gravina said, according to Tuttomercatoweb. “I have to wish the two candidates good luck. Football will be in good hands for sure.”
The departing president’s comments come on a decisive day for the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), with delegates gathering in Rome to elect his successor. Gravina’s eight-year tenure saw Serie A clubs claim European silverware and the national team win Euro 2020, but it was bookended by the ultimate humiliation: missing out on two consecutive World Cups.
The FIGC Presidential Election
Two high-profile candidates are on the ballot to replace Gravina: former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, who led the federation from 2007 to 2014, and Giovanni Malagò, the current president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and a prominent figure in Italian sport administration. Both were in attendance alongside Gravina as the assembly commenced.
Abete, 72, previously oversaw Italy’s run to the Euro 2012 final, but his presidency was also marked by the Azzurri‘s group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup. Malagò, 64, has been CONI president since 2013 and is widely credited with the successful bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The election represents a crossroads for Italian football, which must confront deep structural issues exposed by back-to-back World Cup absences.
The voting process involves representatives from Serie A, Serie B, the Lega Pro, the amateur leagues, players, coaches, and referees. A two-thirds majority is required in the first ballot, dropping to a simple majority in subsequent rounds. The winner will inherit a federation under immense pressure to modernize infrastructure, youth development, and the national team setup.
A Tenure Marred by World Cup Heartbreak
Gravina assumed the FIGC presidency in 2018, inheriting a federation still reeling from the Azzurri‘s failure to reach the 2018 World Cup under his predecessor Carlo Tavecchio. His early years brought a resurgence, as Roberto Mancini’s side captured the European Championship in 2021, reigniting national pride. However, the tragicomic World Cup qualifying campaign for 2022—losing to North Macedonia in the playoff semifinals—reopened old wounds, and the latest qualification disaster, sealed by a dismal 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland, proved terminal.
Gravina’s decision to resign was effectively made for him by months of criticism from club presidents, media, and fans. His admission that he “should have left earlier” reflects a widespread sentiment that his post-Euro 2020 legacy was squandered by inaction on systemic reforms. Yet, he leaves with a defiant message of faith in Italian football’s resilience.
“Italian football is in good hands,” he reiterated, pointing to the calibre of the candidates. Both Abete and Malagò have pledged to prioritize the national team’s recovery and address the chronic financial and competitive disparities between Serie A and Europe’s other top leagues.
Whoever wins will face an immediate test: Italy are in the process of appointing a new head coach, with senior players reportedly supporting a return for Mancini according to separate reports. The new FIGC president will be instrumental in that decision, as well as in pressing the government for stadium funding and regulatory changes to improve the domestic game’s global standing.
Quick Facts
Event: FIGC Presidential Election 2026
Date: June 22, 2026
Location: Rome, Italy
Outgoing President: Gabriele Gravina (2018–2026)
Candidates: Giancarlo Abete, Giovanni Malagò
Key Issue: Italy’s consecutive World Cup absences (2018, 2022, 2026)
Gravina’s Verdict: “Football will be in good hands for sure”
Key Takeaways
- Gabriele Gravina expressed confidence in the future of Italian football under the new FIGC president, but acknowledged he held on too long after the World Cup failure.
- The election pits two experienced administrators—Giancarlo Abete and Giovanni Malagò—against each other, each promising structural reform.
- Gravina’s tenure ended abruptly after Italy’s third-straight World Cup qualification collapse, a crisis that defines his legacy despite the Euro 2020 triumph.
- The new president will immediately shape the search for Italy’s next head coach and the broader strategy to revive the Azzurri and Serie A.
