FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed his intention to seek re-election, according to an announcement by the global soccer governing body on Sunday. Infantino has been under mounting scrutiny following his unsuccessful proposal to offload shares in the World Cup.
Despite widespread calls for his resignation, FIFA has disclosed that Infantino will vie for a fourth and final term in office, extending until 2031. A spokesperson for FIFA reiterated that Infantino had previously declared his candidacy in April 2027 and affirmed that his decision remains unchanged.
Various stakeholders, including UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, have urged Infantino to step down, citing a loss of trust in his leadership. UEFA had even threatened to boycott FIFA events, including the World Cup. Notably, several national associations, such as the English FA, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.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 during the inauguration of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland last Saturday. He mentioned to Sky News that while there are matters to address, the appropriate time and place for discussion are not at the present event, emphasizing the enjoyment of football.
Acknowledging past missteps, FIFA issued an apology for the errors related to its controversial plan to commercialize World Cup profits through a subsidiary. The organization has committed to preventing similar blunders in the future. However, these actions have not alleviated the mounting pressure on Infantino’s leadership position.
The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential race is set for November 18, precisely four months before the voting process.