Embattled Fifa president Infantino declares intention to stand for re-election

The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, has reiterated his desire to stand for re-election next year despite the continuing controversy surrounding his leadership.

Infantino refused to answer questions about his future when asked by reporters at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland on Saturday. The 56-year-old Swiss is under severe pressure to resign after trying to sell stakes in Fifa tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

Uefa, the European governing body, has led calls for Infantino to step down with further opposition coming from the Asian confederation and Concacaf, which represents countries in North and Central America plus the Caribbean.

But for the first time since the plan became public, FIFA has reiterated Infantino’s intention to run for a fourth and final term in next year’s elections. Should he be re-elected, he will continue to serve as head of world football until 2031.

A Fifa spokesperson said: “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 Concacaf president, Victor Montagliani, is widely seen as the likeliest challenger to Infantino. Montagliani, a Fifa vice-president, had long been regarded as a close ally of Infantino, but there were signs, even before he distanced himself over the now-scrapped plan to allow private investment into World Cups, that he viewed Fifa’s purpose somewhat differently to the Swiss.

However, Infantino is not without friends – Saudi Arabia, the 2034 men’s World Cup hosts, came out in support last month, with African football’s governing body, Caf, and South America’s Conmebol also supportive.

As the only declared candidate so far for the election due to take place in March 2027, Infantino will need a simple majority of votes from the 211 federations affiliated to Fifa to extend his term of office, which began in 2016. Candidate nominations for next year’s election must be submitted by 18 November.

Click here to read article