FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed his intention to run for re-election, announced world soccer’s governing body on Sunday. Infantino has been under mounting scrutiny for his unsuccessful proposal to sell shares in the World Cup. Despite calls for his resignation, FIFA has stated that Infantino will vie for a fourth and final term extending to 2031.
A spokesperson for FIFA affirmed, “The decision by the FIFA President to seek re-election in 2027, as announced in April, remains unchanged. Mr. Infantino will indeed seek re-election.” UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, has been at the forefront of demands for Infantino’s departure, expressing a lack of confidence in him and even considering a boycott of FIFA events, including the World Cup. Several national associations, such as the English FA, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.
When asked about his future at the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, Infantino declined to comment. FIFA has acknowledged mistakes in its controversial plan to commercialize World Cup profits and has pledged to prevent similar errors in the future. However, these actions have not alleviated the pressure on Infantino’s leadership role. The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential election is set for November 18, precisely four months before the vote.