Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Infantino to Seek Re-election Despite World Cup Sell-off Backlash
Gianni Infantino wants to remain the leader of FIFA for another term.
FIFA organizes major international football competitions.
He has been president since 2016 and was elected without an opponent twice.
His plan to let private investors buy parts of World Cup-related profits or competitions caused strong criticism.
Some football groups worried this could affect who controls FIFA events.
UEFA even threatened to boycott some FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
FIFA later said the plan had been abandoned and would not be repeated in the same form.
Infantino still faces criticism from UEFA, national associations, and some FIFA officials.
Other candidates must announce their plans by November 18.
Gianni Infantino plans to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in the 2027 election.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and won uncontested re-elections in 2019 and 2023.
His proposal to sell stakes or future World Cup profits to private investors was abandoned after widespread criticism.
UEFA previously threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions, while FIFA said similar ownership plans would not return.
Potential challengers must declare their candidacies by November 18, with UEFA and others continuing to oppose Infantino.
- Who
- Gianni Infantino, FIFA, UEFA, national football associations, and potential presidential challengers.
- What
- Infantino will seek re-election as FIFA president for a fourth term despite backlash over an abandoned private-investment plan.
- When
- The election is scheduled for 2027, with candidacies due by November 18; FIFA said the potential term would run through 2031.
- Where
- The election is expected to take place at a FIFA Congress in Morocco; Infantino recently appeared at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
- Why
- Infantino is seeking another term, while critics oppose his leadership and objected to the proposed sale of World Cup-related stakes or profits to private investors.
Critics and Opponents
Infantino and FIFA
Private investment in World Cup revenues
Critics and Opponents
Critics said selling stakes or future World Cup profits to private investors could threaten FIFA’s control of its competitions and strongly opposed the plan.
Infantino and FIFA
The proposal was intended to generate additional commercial revenue, but FIFA abandoned it and apologized for errors connected with the plan.
Infantino’s leadership
Critics and Opponents
UEFA, some national associations, FIFA vice presidents, and officials from several regions have criticized Infantino; the English Football Association has withdrawn support, according to one report.
Infantino and FIFA
Infantino is proceeding with his re-election bid, while FIFA says nothing has changed since his April announcement that he would stand.
UEFA’s response
Critics and Opponents
UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino, threatened a boycott of FIFA tournaments, and is reportedly preparing a Swiss criminal complaint over possible financial mismanagement.
Infantino and FIFA
FIFA gave assurances that similar private-investor ownership plans would not be pursued again, after which UEFA withdrew its boycott threat, according to one report.
- Candidate
- Gianni Infantino
- Election
- FIFA presidential election in 2027
- Potential term
- A final term through 2031, according to one report
- Infantino’s tenure
- FIFA president since 2016
- Abandoned plan
- Selling stakes in FIFA competitions or future World Cup profits to private investors
- Candidate deadline
- November 18
- UEFA response
- UEFA threatened to consider boycotting FIFA competitions and later withdrew that threat after receiving assurances that similar ownership plans would not return
