UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running to replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, but warned that Infantino could face a leadership challenge at the organisation’s next election in March 2027.
Infantino has faced growing pressure following his now-abandoned plan to attract private investment into FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
UEFA has also threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while several national and continental football bodies have withdrawn their support for the FIFA president.
Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast, Ceferin said he was not interested in succeeding Infantino, citing his commitment to UEFA and his desire to eventually enjoy life away from football politics.
“I’m not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here.”
Ceferin, who has been outspoken against Infantino’s investment plans, said the FIFA president’s once-strong political position was now under threat.
According to him, Infantino has two options: recognise that he no longer has enough support and step down, or contest the March 2027 election and face a challenger.
“There are two options. One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support… And the second option that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him.”
Ceferin said the issue was no longer simply about the support of voting officials but also the backing of football fans, players, former players and coaches.
Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, became FIFA president in 2016 after succeeding Sepp Blatter, initially enjoying strong backing from European football nations.
However, Ceferin revealed that he has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy began and said the current situation was significantly different.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are reportedly among those considered potential challengers to Infantino.
Source: AFP.
