Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European football’s governing body UEFA, has announced he will not challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, but called on Infantino to resign, arguing that staying in office undermines the credibility of world football’s governing body. Ceferin also predicted that another candidate would step forward to contest the role.
Speaking on Monday, Ceferin ruled out a direct run against Infantino in the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for 2027. The Slovenian football administrator, who has led UEFA since 2016, said he did not want to lose personal credibility by pursuing the top job at FIFA. However, he made clear that Infantino should not expect an uncontested race.
“I will not be a candidate for the FIFA presidency because I don’t want to lose my credibility – and it would be lost if I went for that position,” Ceferin told reporters. He added that Infantino’s continued tenure was damaging to FIFA’s reputation and that “the time has come for him to step aside.” Ceferin did not elaborate on specific grievances but alluded to governance concerns that have dogged FIFA in recent years.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, has not publicly responded to Ceferin’s remarks. The Swiss-Italian administrator was elected on a reform platform after the corruption scandals that engulfed FIFA in 2015, but his presidency has itself been marked by controversies over term limits, financial transparency, and the handling of human rights issues related to World Cup hosting. Infantino was re-elected unopposed in 2023 after a change to FIFA’s statutes that allowed him to stand again, a move critics said was tailored to keep him in power.
Ceferin’s decision not to run removes one of the most prominent potential challengers from the field. Yet his prediction that a challenger will emerge suggests the race may still be competitive. Names often floated include former FIFA official and current Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and possibly figures from within European football. The next FIFA Congress, where the election will take place, is expected in early 2027.
The relationship between UEFA and FIFA has been strained at times, particularly over the expanded Club World Cup and the biennial World Cup proposal, both of which UEFA opposed. Ceferin’s call for Infantino to quit adds a new layer of public friction between the two most powerful figures in world football.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Ceferin’s refusal to challenge Infantino removes a likely reform candidate from the race, potentially narrowing the field to insiders less inclined to change FIFA’s direction.
- His public call for Infantino to resign signals deepening unease among European football leaders about FIFA’s governance and could embolden other critics to speak out.
- The outcome of the 2027 election will shape FIFA’s approach to World Cup expansion, commercial deals, and human rights standards for the next decade.
Background
FIFA has been in a period of transformation since the 2015 corruption crisis that led to the ouster of former president Sepp Blatter. Infantino, a former UEFA general secretary, won the 2016 emergency election on a promise of reform. Since then, he has overseen the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, the creation of a 32-team Club World Cup, and the awarding of the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia. These decisions have drawn praise for growing the game’s revenues and criticism for straining the calendar and ignoring ethical concerns. Ceferin and Infantino have clashed repeatedly, most notably over plans for a biennial World Cup, which UEFA and other confederations opposed. Ceferin was re-elected UEFA president in 2023 and is seen as a defender of European club interests against FIFA’s centralizing ambitions.
Key Perspectives
Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA President): He believes Infantino’s continued leadership harms FIFA’s credibility and that a fresh start is needed. By declining to run himself, he avoids a direct conflict that could damage his own standing, but he signals that the status quo is unsustainable.
Gianni Infantino (FIFA President): Infantino has not responded publicly. His allies argue that he has restored stability and growth to FIFA after the 2015 crisis, pointing to record revenues and successful tournaments. They may view Ceferin’s comments as a political maneuver ahead of UEFA’s own internal elections.
Critics of FIFA Governance: Human rights groups, transparency advocates, and some national federations have long called for term limits and stronger oversight. They see Ceferin’s remarks as a tacit admission of FIFA’s ongoing problems, but worry that without a strong challenger, the status quo will continue.
What to Watch
- Whether any high-profile candidate formally declares for the FIFA presidency in the coming months, especially from outside Europe.
- The response from FIFA’s Council and its member associations: will they back Infantino or call for a more open process?
- Potential governance reforms at the next FIFA Congress, such as reinstating term limits, which could change the dynamics of the race.