The UEFA president ruled out competing for the top FIFA position, but warned that if Infantino seeks reelection in 2027, "he will have a candidate against him"
The political internal affairs of FIFA have added a new chapter featuring AleksanderČeferin, UEFAandGianni Infantino. The president of the European body ruled out running for the elections of the international organization but stated that the current president could face an opposing candidate if he decides to seek a new term.
"I believe he will have a candidate against him. I still don't know who", warned Čeferin during an interview with the British podcast The Rest is Politics. In this way, the Slovenian leader made it clear that his refusal to compete for the presidency does not mean support for Infantino's continuity and that he is not interested in holding the position currently held by the Swiss. "I am not interested for two reasons: I love UEFA and I believe that, at a certain point, it is also time to enjoy life a little", he stated. Furthermore, he considered that his position as Infantino's main critic carries more weight precisely because he does not seek to succeed him. "My credibility is much, much greater if I am not interested in that position", he explained.
Čeferin will not run as a candidate in FIFA, but he assured that Infantino will have a rival in the upcoming elections
On the other hand, the president of UEFA also questioned the support that, in his view, Infantino maintains within the global football community. "He does not have the support of the football community, fans, players, former players, and coaches", he asserted.
The dispute between the two leaders has deepened in recent months due to various projects promoted by FIFA. Among them was the proposal to incorporate private financing into future World Cup competitions (FIFA Forward Enterprise), an initiative that sparked strong opposition and was ultimately abandoned. Čeferin even considered that project "worse even than the Super League".
The Slovenian also questioned the way Infantino responds to criticism coming from Europe and recalled that the current FIFA president is Swiss and came to the position with UEFA's backing. "Infantino is European, he is Swiss, and he was supported by UEFA to reach that position. Something that, unfortunately, he has forgotten", he pointed out. Despite the conflict, Čeferin acknowledged that he currently has no dialogue with Infantino. "Things change every day. Every day there are different conversations. I have not spoken to him", he assured.
Infantino could face competition in the upcoming FIFA elections
The next FIFA elections will be held on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco, during the 77th Congress of the entity. Infantino himself has already expressed his intention to run for re-election. So far, the current head of world football has gone through his last two elections unopposed: in 2019 and 2023 he was the only candidate and was confirmed without the need for a vote among different options. For 2027, however, the scenario could be different and UEFA is looking to promote an alternative to the Swiss, although there is still no confirmed opposing candidacy.
