FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election for a final term through 2031, resisting mounting pressure, UEFA opposition, and a potential criminal complaint over a failed World Cup commercial plan.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election in 2027 for a final term through 2031, despite growing calls for him to step down following a furious backlash over a controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Sunday, September 6, 2026, that Infantino's plans remain unchanged. "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 spokesperson said. Candidates must enter the presidential contest by November 18, exactly four months prior to the election.
Infantino faces intense opposition led by European football governing body UEFA, which expressed a loss of confidence in him and previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. Key national associations, such as the English FA, have withdrawn their support, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated last month that Infantino was not the right man to lead world football's governing body.
Additionally, UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement regarding the now-abandoned plan to sell future World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary. FIFA apologised for errors made during the rollout and committed to ensuring they do not recur, though the statement has failed to relieve pressure on Infantino's leadership.
Infantino declined to speak in detail about his future upon arriving for the opening of the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland on Saturday, September 5. Speaking to Sky News, he stated, "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."
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.