De Siervo, who is also the CEO of Serie A, was nominated for the role in Prague, Czech Republic, during a two-day summit of the 51 leagues represented by the WLA during its 10th anniversary, which was organised by the Czech league association.
The Italian will be in post for the next four years, and set out a manifesto for stronger representation for national leagues, as well as better relationships with international organisations.
This comes as the squeeze of players increases, with competitions like the Club World Cup and an extended World Cup cutting into the traditional footballing calendar.
Taking on a position that De Siervo called 'a great honour', he explained that more in-depth dialogue between the WLA and organising bodies such as FIFA and UEFA is at the cornerstone of his tenure in charge.
He explained during his press conference: "In the past, the situation has not been great. We tried to change; we have started new discussions today. It is so important that the big decisions involve, from the beginning, our association.
"We represent the top leagues in the world and all the decisions affect our players and our clubs."
Serie A, as well as other leagues around the world, have explored the option of playing league matches away from their nation. In 2024, the Italian top flight got approval to play a game between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, in what would have been a landmark fixture.
Marred by controversy, this was eventually scrapped after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) blocked the move, but De Siervo believes the option to play a game outside a league’s borders remains on the table.
He said: "We think that it is important that all the leagues have the right to play one match outside of the country. Not more, not less. It's a good opportunity, because some countries need to have the opportunity to create something new in some new area.
"If you analyse American sports, NBA, NFL, they start to play in Europe - why? Because they need to have new audiences. This is the future; it's not against local competitions, we are totally focused on that, but it's a clear and great opportunity for the system to have one match per year outside of the country.
When pressed on it further, he added: "I think it's impossible to play a league match outside of your country; it can happen for the cup...
"If you play just in your country, you maintain your audience, but you cannot grow... In Serie A, we organise 423 matches; we are talking about just one."
Whilst LaLiga and Serie A have had games rejected in the USA and Australia, respectively, other matches like the Italian Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and Trophee des Champions in France have all been played away from their host nations.
The WLA, although an influential board, has no say on matters that affect its own leagues. They are unable to vote on presidencies for international or continental organisations, and when asked about who they would like to see win the upcoming FIFA election in March, De Siervo said: "We don't discuss. It's a specific decision for the FAs."
When asked who he would like to see take the job, De Siervo answered: "I know very well the system, I know very well Gianni (Infantino, FIFA president), but we will wait and analyse what is going to happen."
General secretary Jerome Perlemuter added: "For the World Leagues Association, what's important beyond the personality who will eventually be voted by the associations, we're not voting, it's that the governance evolves into something where national leagues can really have an influence on football issues.
"The national leagues are 4,000 clubs and 130,000 professional players. Decisions that are made in football cannot be made without national leagues, and this is the purpose of this organisation."
The WLA has members such as the Premier League, LaLiga and the Bundesliga on its board, and represents national leagues across six continents.
Josh Donaldson is a Global Senior Editor and International Football Specialist for Flashscore. From the UK, now living in Prague, Josh specialises in football and cycling and can be found at an obscure ground watching games or on his bike. You can follow Josh on X and read his articles here.
