Gianni Infantino’s grip on the FIFA presidency has loosened following the collapse of his billion-dollar investor plans for the World Cup, with European, Asian, and CONCACAF football bodies all publicly criticising his leadership. UEFA has formally declared it has lost confidence in the FIFA president, and calls for his resignation have grown. Infantino has held the role since 2016, winning two uncontested re-elections, in 2019 and 2023.
He intends to stand for another four-year term at the FIFA congress in Morocco, scheduled for March. Candidacy nominations close on November 18. No formal challenger has yet emerged, but the window is open.
The Candidate UEFA Wants Most
According to The Telegraph, confirmed by AOL, European football officials have identified Nasser Al-Khelaifi as their preferred challenger. The 52-year-old chairs Qatar Sports Investments, leads Paris Saint-Germain, sits on UEFA’s executive committee, and heads beIN Media Group. Since October he has also represented European Football Clubs at FIFA council meetings.
Supporters of Al-Khelaifi argue his broad influence and Middle Eastern background could attract votes well beyond Europe’s 55 member associations. Ousting a sitting FIFA president requires majority backing from all 211 members. A representative of Al-Khelaifi told The Telegraph he has no ambition, intention, or interest in the FIFA role.
The UEFA President as a Potential Contender
Aleksander Ceferin, 58, has coordinated the European opposition to Infantino. The Slovenian lawyer has led UEFA since 2016 and will not seek re-election there in 2027. Earlier in 2024 he said football periodically needs fresh blood at the top. Whether that logic extends to him pursuing the FIFA job himself remains an open question.
Other Names in Circulation
DPA reports several other figures are being discussed. Mattias Grafström, the 45-year-old FIFA secretary general appointed officially in 2024, is described as a close ally of Infantino — yet media reports suggest he sees a path to the top job himself.
Victor Montagliani, 60, was born in Vancouver and became Canadian Soccer Association president in 2012. He moved up to lead CONCACAF after his predecessor Jeffrey Webb was arrested in a FIFA corruption scandal in 2015. The recent World Cup on home soil in the United States, Canada, and Mexico raised his profile further.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain ran against Infantino in 2016 and lost narrowly. He faced corruption and human rights allegations at the time.
Infantino’s Support Base
Despite European pressure, X user Eric Njiiru notes that Infantino retains unanimous backing from Africa’s 54 member associations, plus broad support among CONCACAF’s 41 members. That base has historically been enough to see off any challenge. UEFA holds only 55 votes. No single confederation can deliver a majority alone.
UEFA held an emergency meeting with member associations to discuss its options, including a potential World Cup boycott. The presidential race itself does not conclude until the March congress.
