FIFA presidency faces new challenge as Infantino’s eligibility comes under scrutiny

Tuesday 18 - 16:25

By: Azzat Manal

FIFA presidency faces new challenge as Infantino’s eligibility comes under scrutiny

Gianni Infantino’s future as FIFA president has come under renewed scrutiny after the non-profit organisation FairSquare called on the football governing body’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee to prevent him from standing in the next presidential election.

The organisation argues that Infantino could be seeking a fourth term, which would conflict with FIFA’s rules limiting the presidency to a maximum of three terms. The dispute centres on whether his first period in office should be counted under the organisation’s term-limit regulations.

Infantino was first elected in February 2016 at an extraordinary FIFA Congress, succeeding Sepp Blatter. He was subsequently re-elected twice without opposition and is currently serving his third term.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, making the question of his eligibility increasingly significant. Infantino has maintained that his initial period in office should not count toward the three-term limit because it began with his election during an extraordinary congress.

FairSquare’s intervention adds another layer to an increasingly scrutinised leadership contest. The organisation’s request places the issue before FIFA’s internal governance structures and could fuel further debate over the interpretation of the organisation’s statutes.

Infantino has also faced criticism over his relations with political figures and football authorities. One recent controversy concerned the decision to overturn the suspension of United States international Folarin Balogun. Reports indicated that former US President Donald Trump had contacted Infantino regarding the matter, a communication Trump later acknowledged.

Relations between Infantino and several continental football organisations have also faced tensions. His proposal to explore the sale of a share of World Cup commercial rights to private investors has reportedly encountered opposition from UEFA and other confederations, highlighting disagreements over the future management and commercialisation of FIFA competitions.

Infantino, 56, has been at the centre of FIFA’s leadership since 2016 and has secured two subsequent elections without facing a rival. His potential candidacy for another term could now depend on how FIFA interprets its term-limit provisions and whether the relevant governing bodies accept his position concerning his first mandate.

The dispute could therefore become an important governance issue ahead of the 2027 election. A decision on Infantino’s eligibility would not only determine the field of candidates but could also influence the broader debate over FIFA’s leadership, institutional rules and accountability.