Ceferin rules out FIFA presidency bid against Infantino in 2027

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency at the March 2027 election, but believes another candidate could stand against the incumbent. Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking a fourth term that would run until 2031.

Ceferin said Infantino could either recognise that he lacks sufficient backing or proceed to the election while facing an opponent. He said he did not yet know who that challenger would be.

The UEFA president’s comments come amid opposition to Infantino from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF. The three confederations are considering further steps before the election, while the football associations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands have backed calls for Infantino to resign.

Ceferin also criticised Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell a 20 per cent share in FIFA tournament rights to private investors. He said the proposal met resistance not only from major European associations such as England and Germany, but also from smaller organisations including San Marino, Cyprus and Liechtenstein.

Infantino has defended his approach by focusing on investment and opportunities for FIFA’s 211 member associations, particularly those with fewer resources. He has argued that the organisation must reduce the gap between the largest football countries and the rest of the world.

Ceferin rejected the idea that UEFA opposes support for developing football nations. He also pointed out that Infantino is European and received UEFA’s backing when he first became FIFA president, despite the current disagreement over his leadership.