FIFA President Infantino faces opposition as UEFA rules out bid but eyes challenger for 2027 election
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7 days · 6 summary articles
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition ahead of the organization’s presidential election in March 2027, as UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin ruled out a bid against him but suggested an opponent may emerge.
Ceferin, a vocal critic of Infantino, confirmed in interviews on Aug. 24 that he would not run for FIFA’s top post, stating, “I love UEFA and the work I do there.” He added that his credibility as an opponent of Infantino was stronger by not seeking the role. However, Ceferin indicated that if Infantino pursues reelection, UEFA and other confederations may back a challenger. Canadian Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, has been named in reports as a potential candidate .
Infantino’s leadership has been under scrutiny since the collapse of his proposal to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have all expressed concerns, with UEFA threatening a boycott of FIFA competitions. The plan, which would have distributed funding to FIFA’s 211 member associations, was ultimately abandoned .
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, has publicly supported Infantino, dismissing criticism as politically motivated ahead of the election. “I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” Eto’o told CNN, adding that Infantino had expanded opportunities for smaller nations in the World Cup .
Infantino has sought to shore up support among smaller federations, framing himself as an advocate for redistributing resources. During a recent visit to the Caribbean, he secured backing from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), part of CONCACAF, which has been among his most vocal critics. “It’s important to participate, engage in dialogue, and express views,” Infantino said, emphasizing his commitment to “grow football in each” of FIFA’s 211 member associations .
Meanwhile, a group of former international players, including World Cup winners, called for immediate change at FIFA, accusing Infantino’s leadership of being “blinded by power” . The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reiterated its support for Infantino, aligning with Eto’o’s stance .
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Articles
Ceferin rules out Fifa presidency bid FIFA President Gianni Infantino laid out his manifesto for reelection as the champion of poorer soccer nations on Sunday as UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin ruled out running against him but said he thought there would be an opposition candidate. Almost a month after Infantino tabled his now abandoned proposal to create a commercial body for […]
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