FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, has announced his intention to run for re-election, according to a statement from the world soccer governing body on Sunday. Infantino has been under pressure following his unsuccessful proposal to sell shares in the World Cup. Despite calls for his resignation, FIFA confirmed that Infantino will campaign for a fourth and final term in office until 2031.
A spokesperson for FIFA reaffirmed that Infantino had previously declared his candidacy for re-election in 2027 and that this plan remains unchanged. European soccer governing body UEFA has been vocal in urging Infantino to step down, expressing a lack of confidence in him and even considering boycotting FIFA events, including the World Cup. Several national associations, such as the English FA, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.
Infantino declined to comment on his future when attending the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Saturday, stating that the appropriate time and place to address the issue would come later. FIFA has acknowledged mistakes in its controversial proposal to commercialize profits from the World Cup and has promised to prevent similar errors in the future. However, this response has not alleviated the mounting pressure on Infantino.
The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential election is November 18, four months before the vote. Infantino’s decision to seek re-election has stirred further debate and scrutiny within the global soccer community.
