Infantino has sufficient support for re-election, sources say
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sufficient support for re-election at the organization’s congress, scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. As Cyprus Mail reports, citing Reuters, his opponents are increasingly leaning toward trying to limit the FIFA president’s powers rather than fielding a candidate against him.
Infantino faced sharp criticism after his proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors failed. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) opposed the initiative.
Support outside Europe
Several European national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election, with France being the latest to do so. At the FIFA Congress, each of the 211 member associations has one vote, so defeating the incumbent president requires a coalition extending far beyond UEFA’s 55 members.
According to sources, Infantino retains the support of small footballing nations and influential blocs outside Europe. New Caledonia Football Federation President Steve Laigle told Reuters that most heads of Oceania’s federations support Infantino. A source in the Confederation of African Football also said that the overwhelming majority of African federations are satisfied with his work and believe that continued support will help increase funding for football development.
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According to Reuters, Infantino also retains the support of South American CONMEBOL. Morocco, one of the most influential African federations, has publicly supported the FIFA president.
Potential candidates
Football officials considered Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi one of the few potential candidates capable of forming an intercontinental coalition. However, through a spokesperson, he said he has no ambition, intention or interest in becoming FIFA president.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani was also mentioned among possible contenders. According to a source in world football, he is unlikely to run without confidence in having sufficient support. Candidates must be nominated by November 18.
In the absence of an obvious candidate, Infantino’s opponents are discussing tighter oversight of FIFA’s strategic and major commercial decisions, as well as a redistribution of powers within the organization’s leadership. French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo confirmed that the distribution of power within FIFA is one of the issues being discussed at UEFA.
