CORNERFLICK
Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election as FIFA president in 2027, with the governing body confirming he has not changed his plan despite calls for him to step aside.
Vote set for Rabat
The election will take place on 18 March 2027 at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA said the 56-year-old had already signalled in April that he intended to run again.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and was retained in 2019 and 2023. If he wins again, he could remain in office until 2031.
Pressure after failed investment plan
His position has come under strain in recent weeks after the collapse of the so-called FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which would have handed some commercial revenues from FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The plan drew strong opposition from parts of the game and was eventually dropped. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf were among the main critics, and talk of a no-confidence vote followed. UEFA has also sought access to documents linked to the scheme, with the possibility of legal action in Switzerland mentioned.
Support remains in place
FIFA has described UEFA’s moves as part of a "campaign of destruction" against the organisation and its leadership. But Infantino still has backing from several regions, including the Confederation of African Football, Conmebol and Saudi Arabia.
No formal challenger has entered the race yet. Victor Montagliani, the Concacaf president and a FIFA vice-president, has been mentioned as a possible rival, while UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out.
Candidates have until 18 November to submit the documents needed to enter the contest. The vote will be decided by FIFA’s 211 member associations.