Gianni Infantino seeks another FIFA term amid growing opposition

10:22

By: Azzat Manal

Gianni Infantino seeks another FIFA term amid growing opposition

Gianni Infantino is preparing to seek another term as president of FIFA, as the head of world football faces increasing criticism from several influential stakeholders ahead of the 2027 election.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016 and was re-elected in 2023, has confirmed his intention to stand again when the organisation holds its next presidential election in March 2027. The electoral congress is scheduled to take place in Morocco, with the deadline for potential rival candidates set for November 18, 2026.

At present, Infantino is the only officially declared candidate. However, the electoral landscape could still change if other contenders enter the race before the deadline.

His bid comes at a time when relations between FIFA's leadership and several major football organisations have become increasingly strained. One of the most contentious issues has been a proposed commercial structure intended to play a role in the management and business operations surrounding the FIFA World Cup, with private investors potentially involved.

The initiative generated concern among several influential figures and organisations within international football, particularly over its possible implications for governance, commercial arrangements and the distribution of revenues. The proposal was eventually dropped following opposition, but the dispute exposed divisions between FIFA's leadership and some of the sport's most powerful regional bodies.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation were among those expressing reservations about the initiative. Several national associations have also become less supportive of Infantino's leadership, with football authorities in countries including Italy, Sweden and Scotland distancing themselves from some of his policies. New Zealand has also been associated with opposition to the FIFA president's approach.

Criticism has extended beyond national federations. Supporter groups, former players and even a FIFA vice-president have raised concerns about the direction of the organisation, creating a more challenging political environment for Infantino than the one surrounding his uncontested re-election in 2023.

Despite the criticism, Infantino retains important support across the global football community. The Confederation of African Football remains an important source of backing, while parts of South American football, represented by CONMEBOL, are also considered supportive of his leadership.

Infantino has additionally developed relationships with prominent figures outside football. Former US President Donald Trump has publicly shown his closeness to the FIFA president, adding another political dimension to Infantino's international network.

The 2027 election will ultimately depend on FIFA's 211 member associations, each of which has a vote in the presidential election. A candidate needs a simple majority to secure the presidency, making alliances across the confederations particularly important.

The distribution of votes means that support from Africa, Asia, South America and other regions can be decisive, even when opposition emerges from some of Europe's traditional football powers. Infantino's ability to maintain his existing coalition will therefore be a central factor in the campaign.

Morocco will also play a prominent role in the next stage of FIFA's political calendar by hosting the electoral congress. The event is expected to attract significant international attention as football officials gather to determine the direction of the organisation for the coming years.

With the November 18 deadline still ahead, additional candidates could yet enter the contest and transform the balance of power. If Infantino remains the sole candidate, he would enter the March 2027 vote from a strong position. However, the growing criticism surrounding his leadership could make the election an important test of his authority and his ability to preserve a broad international coalition.

The 2027 FIFA presidential election is therefore shaping up to be more than a routine leadership vote. It could provide a clear indication of whether Infantino can maintain control over football's global governing body while managing increasingly visible disagreements among its major stakeholders.