Ádám Szalai Elected MLSZ Vice President, Hungary Bids for Euro 2028/29 Final
Budapest, Hungary – – Former Hungarian international Adam Szalai was unanimously elected as the third vice president of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) at the organization’s general assembly held today in Telki. Szalai, who earned 86 caps for the national team, will be responsible for youth development.
The appointment signals a clear intent by the MLSZ to prioritize the cultivation of young talent, both within Hungary and abroad. Szalai outlined his primary objective following the election: to create more opportunities for young players to feature in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I (NB I – the Hungarian First League), secure playing time in foreign leagues, and ultimately earn call-ups to the national team.
“I have proven many times in my career that it is difficult to build me give up on my goals,” Szalai stated, reflecting on his own determined career path. His commitment to seeing young players succeed is a central tenet of his vision for the role.
MLSZ President Sándor Csányi praised Szalai’s previous contributions and expressed confidence in his ability to further strengthen youth development initiatives. “Adam Szalai’s work has already shown noticeable progress, and I primarily expect him to strengthen the cooperation between the federation and the state secretariat in the field of youth development,” Csányi said.
Szalai’s responsibilities extend beyond his new vice-presidential role. He currently serves as an assistant coach to national team manager Marco Rossi and also holds the position of deputy director of the National Sport Development and Methodology Institute, an organization operating under the supervision of the state secretariat. This dual role provides him with a comprehensive overview of the Hungarian football landscape, from the elite national team level to the grassroots development programs.
The general assembly also saw Tibor Nyilasi and Sándor Berzi unanimously elected as honorary members of the MLSZ presidency. The assembly approved both the 2025 professional and financial reports, as well as the report from the supervisory board, indicating a stable financial footing for the federation.
Looking ahead, the MLSZ is actively pursuing opportunities to host major international events. Csányi revealed that the federation has submitted bids to host the 2028 and 2029 UEFA Europa Conference League finals at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Success in these bids would complete a remarkable run for the stadium, which has already hosted the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, the 2023 UEFA Europa League final, and will host the UEFA Champions League final this year.
Csányi also highlighted the financial health of the MLSZ, reporting a balance sheet result of 2.133 billion Hungarian Forints in 2025. While the financial situation of professional clubs is described as stable, revenue from ticket sales and player transfers generally falls short of optimal levels. Csányi emphasized the demand for continued collaboration between the MLSZ and professional clubs to address these challenges and foster sustainable growth.
Regarding the men’s national team, Csányi noted that Hungary’s position in the FIFA world rankings has improved since 2010, even if the current ranking is below previous highs. The federation’s immediate objectives are focused on qualifying for the 2028 European Championship, the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and achieving promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League.
Csányi also addressed the issue of fan relations, stating that the MLSZ has successfully improved its relationship with supporters through open dialogue and mutual understanding. However, he reaffirmed the federation’s zero-tolerance policy towards racism and discrimination, pledging to continue taking strict measures against such behavior.
The MLSZ president concluded by expressing gratitude for the state support that Hungarian sport, and football in particular, has received in recent years. He emphasized the significant improvements in infrastructure and the substantial investment in youth development, both made possible by state funding. This continued support is seen as crucial for the long-term success of Hungarian football.