Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as the head coach of the Italian national football team has been jeopardized by public and official concern regarding his commercial ties to a Russian betting company. Despite being a leading candidate following the refusals of Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, the 2006 World Cup winner is now under investigation by the Italian Football Federation.

The federation, led by President Giovanni Malago, is specifically scrutinizing Pirlo's role as a global ambassador for the betting firm, a position he has held since October 2025. Concerns were amplified by Pirlo's visit to Moscow in May 2026 for a promotional event and his ongoing connection to United FC in Dubai, owned by Sergey Lomakin. The controversy centers on the incompatibility of these professional ties with the image required for a national team coach, particularly given that Italian law restricts the promotion of gambling.

In a recent statement on social media, Pirlo expressed bitterness over the public discourse, clarifying that his agreement with the company is purely commercial and sporting in nature. The Italian Federation continues to evaluate whether these conflicts of interest can be resolved or if they disqualify his candidacy for the prestigious position.