Italian Football Legend Gianni Rivera Announces Bid for FIGC Presidency

Rivera's candidacy adds intrigue to the upcoming FIGC election as he proposes a vision to address Italy's football challenges.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:54am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer match or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue and white colors representing the Italian national team.As Italy's football federation faces a critical juncture, the iconic Gianni Rivera's bid for the FIGC presidency promises a bold, visionary path forward.Kansas City Today

In a surprising announcement, Italian football legend Gianni Rivera has expressed his willingness to run for the role of FIGC (Italian Football Federation) President. Rivera, a Ballon d'Or winner and iconic figure in Italian football, has unveiled a detailed plan that he believes could be a game-changer for the federation. His candidacy comes on the same day that the previous FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina, resigned following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

Why it matters

Rivera's entry into the FIGC presidential race adds a new dynamic to the election, as his expertise and fresh perspective could drive meaningful change in Italian football. As an esteemed player, Rivera understands the intricacies of the game and the challenges facing the sport in the country. His candidacy represents an opportunity to reshape the governing structures of Italian football and address the underlying issues that have led to the national team's recent disappointments.

The details

Rivera's announcement on Rai Radio 1 Sport reveals that he has been developing his plan with a team, including the son of Angelo Sormani. The former player acknowledges the scale of the problems, stating, "There is no reason to be surprised about failing to qualify for the World Cup. At this moment, there are serious issues that are difficult to overcome." For Rivera's candidacy to become official, he must submit formal documentation by June 7th, and the election is scheduled for June 22nd. The process involves an assembly of 516 weighted votes from various stakeholder groups within Italian football, with the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti holding the largest share at 34%.

  • Rivera announced his intention to run for FIGC President on April 10, 2026.
  • The deadline for submitting formal documentation for the FIGC presidential election is June 7, 2026.
  • The FIGC presidential election is scheduled for June 22, 2026.

The players

Gianni Rivera

An Italian football legend and Ballon d'Or winner who has announced his candidacy for the FIGC presidency.

Gabriele Gravina

The previous FIGC president who resigned following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Angelo Sormani

The father of one of the members of Rivera's team developing his plan for the FIGC presidency.

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What they’re saying

“There is no reason to be surprised about failing to qualify for the World Cup. At this moment, there are serious issues that are difficult to overcome.”

— Gianni Rivera

What’s next

For Rivera's candidacy to become official, he must submit formal documentation by June 7th. The FIGC presidential election is scheduled for June 22nd, and the process involves an assembly of 516 weighted votes from various stakeholder groups within Italian football.

The takeaway

Rivera's potential presidency could be a catalyst for positive change in Italian football, as his expertise and fresh perspective offer an opportunity to address the underlying issues that have plagued the national team's recent performances. The upcoming FIGC election will be a pivotal moment for the sport in the country, and Rivera's candidacy adds a new dynamic that could inspire much-needed reform.