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FIFA President Infantino Stands for Re-Election Amid Leadership Challenge
Confirmed
In Short: FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for a fourth term in 2027, despite facing opposition from European football leaders and potential legal challenges.
In July, FIFA's plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors fell apart, sparking a leadership crisis for Infantino.
Infantino, who has been under pressure since the plan's failure, declined to comment on his re-election prospects during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
European football associations, including UEFA, have withdrawn support for Infantino, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions.
FIFA has accused UEFA of running a 'smear campaign' against its leadership, while UEFA has filed legal papers requesting disclosure of evidence related to the failed plan.
Infantino's re-election is seen as a key test for his leadership, with UEFA confident that a candidate can be found to stand against him.
The tension between FIFA and UEFA has created a divided football world, with the future of Infantino's presidency hanging in the balance.
What's confirmed
- "The Fifa president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027," read a Fifa statement.
What's still developing
- “There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” Infantino told British broadcaster Sky News outside the venue.
- The European nations — a quarter of the 24-team field — backed down on a boycott threat last week, citing assurances from FIFA that the plan would not be revived.
- Infantino infuriated football leaders worldwide in July, shortly after the World Cup ended, when his plan for a $20bn subsidiary controlling FIFA commercial rights, including the World Cup, was revealed by British daily The Times.
- Infantino, who faces continuing pressure and the prospect of a criminal case, was in the stands speaking with Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza as hosts Poland faced Argentina on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday.
- “We are continuing at FIFA, of course, to work to give every corner of the world a chance, an opportunity, a dignity, to find ways and means for them to become better and to participate and to celebrate football, which we all love.” Infantino did not answer when asked if he had considered resigning or whether he still intends to stand for a fourth term next year.
- Infantino had mostly kept out of the spotlight in the weeks since his World Cup sell-off plan fell apart amid opposition from many FIFA member nations and some of his own officials.
- Legal action over the original attempt continues, and Europe has a leading role in efforts to oust Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA election.
- The spinoff was to be 20 percent owned by investors led by a New York fund created by Joshua Kushner, whose initial money was to pay offers of $20m to each of FIFA’s 211 member federations.