FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing opposition ahead of his reelection bid after a failed plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
A photograph by Marco Bertorello of Agencia AP shows UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who is not going to stand for reelection.
The 56-year-old Swiss official, Infantino, intends to seek another four-year term in the elections scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat. This comes with almost everything still to be decided regarding the 2030 World Cup. He has led the organisation since 2016 and was reelected unopposed in 2019 and 2023.
Before the privatisation controversy became public last week, Infantino claimed the support of a broad majority of FIFA's 211 member associations. The president had previously avoided political damage despite past World Cup scandals, but his attempt to do business with the tournament has awakened the opposition. FIFA has now abandoned plans to create a subsidiary to market the event.
Loss of trust
UEFA has declared a loss of trust in Infantino. The Asian Football Confederation and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football have also criticised his management, prompting calls for him to resign. Candidates must submit their bids before November 18.
While no official candidates have emerged, the intense criticism suggests someone may challenge him. UEFA has been the most aggressive opponent since the business proposal was suggested. Its president, Slovenian lawyer Ceferin, is nearing the end of his term leading European football. In 2024, Ceferin said every organisation needed new blood after a certain time.
Potential challengers
Nasser Al-Khelaifi ruled out running for the FIFA presidency years ago, but his ties to Ceferin could make him an alternative if the Balkan official steps aside. The Qatari official backed Infantino's idea of a biennial World Cup a couple of years ago. He is the head of the European champion, European clubs, sits on the beIN board of directors, and is a UEFA Executive Committee member.
Victor Montigliani's profile rose during the recent World Cup. He became Canadian Soccer Association president in 2012 and took over CONCACAF three years later thanks to a corruption scandal involving its former president, Jeffrey Webb. Montigliani's organisation firmly rejected Infantino's plans.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa narrowly lost the 2016 FIFA election to the Swiss leader, partly due to accusations of corruption and human rights violations. As AFC president, he rejected the investment plans and demanded dialogue and consultation to adopt such important decisions.
Internal opposition
An alternative could emerge from within Infantino's own organisation. Following high-level resignations, 45-year-old Mattias Grafstrom could lead a bid. The son of a Swedish father and Dutch mother, he is a former Swiss youth table tennis champion.
Grafstrom was officially appointed FIFA general secretary in 2024, succeeding Senegal's Fatma Samoura after an interim period. Though considered a very close confidant of Infantino, his ambitions extend much further and he could become the leader of an opposition faction within the organisation.
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