Gianni Infantino confirms he will run for FIFA president re-election in 2027

Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will run for a fourth term as FIFA president at the governing body's congress in March 2027. The Swiss official is pressing ahead with his re-election bid despite a coordinated campaign from UEFA and other confederations calling for his departure, following the collapse of his plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

• Infantino announced in April that he would stand for re-election in 2027, and FIFA insists nothing has changed.
• UEFA is leading calls for his resignation and is working to identify a credible alternative candidate.
• The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have also voiced opposition to the current president.
• The scheme to sell shares in FIFA tournaments to private investors collapsed amid internal resistance.
• Infantino declined to address his future while attending the U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland.

FIFA confirms Infantino's candidacy for a fourth presidential term

A FIFA spokesperson made the governing body's position clear: "The 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." The statement puts an end to speculation about a possible withdrawal by the Italian-Swiss official, who has led world football's governing body since February 2016.

Infantino, who replaced Joseph Blatter in the aftermath of the corruption scandal that rocked FIFA, was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023. His bid for a fourth term comes at a time of significant internal friction, with several continental confederations openly questioning his governance and his push to partially privatise the commercial rights of major tournaments.

UEFA and other confederations push for an alternative candidate

UEFA has positioned itself at the head of the opposition to Infantino and has committed to working with other federations to identify a credible alternative. The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, which represents countries in North and Central America plus the Caribbean, have also expressed dissatisfaction with the president's continued leadership.

The main source of friction is Infantino's attempt to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. The scheme fell apart in recent weeks under resistance from several member associations and key figures within the organisation. European nations, which make up a quarter of the 24-team Club World Cup, had threatened a boycott but backed down after receiving assurances that the plan would not be revived.

Infantino stays silent on his future at the U-20 World Cup in Poland

The confirmation of his candidacy follows Infantino's refusal to answer journalists' questions about his future during his visit to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland. The FIFA president watched the opening match between hosts Poland and Argentina from the stands, accompanied by Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza.

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 avoided questions from Sky News on whether he had considered resigning or still intended to pursue a fourth term. He also used the moment to defend FIFA's work: "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."

Tournament sell-off controversy shapes the electoral cycle

The push to sell shares in FIFA competitions has strained the relationship between Infantino and large sections of European football. UEFA considers the privatisation of key assets of world football a threat to the sport's governance model and the interests of national federations. The collapse of the plan has left the president in a vulnerable position, but it has not altered his electoral intentions.

Infantino had kept largely out of the public eye in the weeks following the failure of his investment scheme. His reappearance in Poland without clarifying his situation, followed by FIFA's confirmation that he will run again, sets the stage for the March 2027 congress as a potential showdown between the incumbent and a consensus candidate backed by the critical confederations.

What is at stake in the FIFA presidential election

FIFA presidential elections take place every four years and require a vote of the member associations, each holding one vote regardless of size. Infantino has dominated the last two ballots without serious rivals, but the combined criticism from Europe, Asia and Concacaf could produce a competitive race for the first time since he took office.

Controlling FIFA means overseeing a multibillion-dollar revenue cycle tied to the men's World Cup and the newly expanded Club World Cup. The controversy over the sale of stakes has highlighted the tensions between Infantino's commercial vision and demands for greater transparency and confederation involvement in strategic decisions.

Frequently asked questions about Gianni Infantino's re-election