FIFA president Gianni Infantino set to stand for re-election in 2027

Embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino will press on with his reelection effort in 2027, a FIFA spokesperson told reporters Sunday, following protracted questions about his future stemming from the failure of his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

“The FIFA president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027,” a spokesperson said. “Of course nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for reelection.”

Prior to the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and the revolt it sparked within the sport, Infantino was expected to stand unopposed. Now it is less clear.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino watches the Poland vs. Argentina FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup first-round match on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Katowice, Poland. Getty Images

UEFA, the body representing European nations, has publicly backed a contested election while a number of countries have publicly said Infantino has lost their confidence. CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have also stated their lack of support for Infantino, though cracks have appeared in both.

While backing down from its boycott threat in time for the women’s U-20 World Cup, which is underway in Poland, UEFA has continued providing a strong voice against Infantino.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two key countries, publicly stated their support for Infantino’s reelection. CONMEBOL and CAF, the confederations in South America and Africa, have been largely supportive. Infantino needs a majority of 211 FIFA member associations to earn another term.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino waves as he arrives for the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Championship football final match between Vietnam and Thailand on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. AFP via Getty Images

The question of who would stand against him is another that needs answering. Victor Montagliani, the CONCACAF president and a FIFA vice president, is often floated as a potential challenger. 

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and a Qatari government official, was seen as someone who could earn the necessary votes, but Qatar’s backing of Infantino seems to have ruled him out as a candidate.

No one has been nominated to run against Infantino as yet, though. That must happen by Nov. 18, with the FIFA Congress slated for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

Should Infantino win a fourth term, he would remain in charge of global soccer until 2031.