Infantino to seek fourth FIFA presidential term despite backlash over investment plan
WARSAW: FIFA President Gianni Infantino will contest next March’s presidential election for a fourth and final term, despite mounting criticism over his controversial proposal to attract private investment into the organisation’s major tournaments.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that the 56-year-old Swiss official remains committed to seeking re-election, ending speculation about whether the intense backlash surrounding his now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative could force him to reconsider.
“FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Infantino has faced growing pressure since details of the FFE plan emerged in late July. The proposal sought to bring private investment into FIFA events, including the World Cup, but was eventually abandoned following strong opposition from several of football’s governing bodies.
If re-elected, Infantino would remain at the helm of world football until 2031.
The FIFA chief is currently in Poland attending the Women’s Under-20 World Cup. However, he declined to comment on his political future when questioned by journalists on Saturday.
UEFA leads opposition
European football’s governing body UEFA has been among Infantino’s strongest critics, accusing him of “criminal mismanagement” over the investment proposal.
UEFA initially threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, unless the plan was withdrawn. Although the European body abandoned the boycott threat on August 27, it has continued to demand greater accountability and has maintained that Infantino should leave FIFA’s presidency.
UEFA has also sought access in the United States to documents concerning the FFE proposal and its links to FIFA and other partners. The organisation has indicated that, if it obtains the documents, it could pursue legal action in Switzerland.
UEFA has received backing from CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), with the three confederations joining forces in a strongly worded letter last month.
“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding — or demanding — power to be held,” they said in the joint statement.
Montagliani emerges as possible challenger
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as the most likely potential challenger to Infantino. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has already ruled himself out of the race.
Montagliani, who is also a FIFA vice-president, was previously considered a close ally of Infantino. However, his position has increasingly diverged from that of the FIFA president, particularly over the abandoned private investment proposal.
Despite the opposition from several confederations, Infantino continues to have influential supporters within world football.
Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, publicly backed him last month. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL have also been supportive of the FIFA president.
FIFA, meanwhile, has accused UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition” against Infantino.
Election set for March 2027
Infantino is currently the only officially declared candidate for the FIFA presidency.
He was first elected in 2016 and secured another term in 2023. To win next year’s election, he will need a simple majority of votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027, while nominations for candidates must be submitted by November 18, 2026.
If no major challenger emerges before the nomination deadline, Infantino could enter the election as the clear favourite to secure a fourth and final term at the top of world football.
