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Gianni Infantino will indeed seek a new term as FIFA president in 2027. The governing body has reaffirmed his candidacy as its leader faces a tense period, marked by opposition from several forces in world football to some of his projects. The election scheduled for March 2027 therefore looks less comfortable than his previous appearances before the federations.
A candidacy confirmed in a colder climate
The official position is clear: Infantino announced in the spring that he would run for re-election, and FIFA assures that this intention has not changed.
The official position is clear: Infantino announced in the spring that he would run for re-election, and FIFA assures that this intention has not changed. If re-elected, the Swiss official, who has been in office since 2016, could remain at the helm of the organization until 2031. It would be another long term for a president who has already profoundly reshaped the calendar, competition formats, and the governing body's economy.
But the confirmation comes in a markedly harsher political climate. Infantino is not simply an incumbent carrying out his agenda. He must respond to strong criticism surrounding projects related to the commercial development of FIFA competitions, notably the controversial idea of opening certain participation rights to private investors. The issue has strained part of the ecosystem because it touches the heart of power: who controls the major tournaments, who captures their value, and how far an international federation can push the financial logic.
UEFA on the front line, other fronts open
UEFA is among the most visible opponents. Its leaders have challenged the direction taken by FIFA and multiplied signs of a break. Tensions have also emerged from Concacaf and the Asian Confederation, giving the situation a broader dimension than a mere European disagreement. In a FIFA election, continental balances matter as much as public statements.
Infantino nevertheless retains solid support. Several blocs remain favorable to his record, notably because FIFA redistributes considerable resources to its member associations and because some countries see his presidency as useful continuity for major projects to come. The backing of influential federations in Africa, South America, or the Gulf can carry significant weight when the 211 member associations vote.
The question, therefore, is not merely whether Infantino is being challenged. It is whether this opposition can turn into a credible, structured candidacy capable of rallying support beyond one camp of dissatisfied parties. For now, no rival has emerged as the obvious challenger, although the name of Victor Montagliani, president of Concacaf and FIFA vice president, keeps coming up in political analyses.
An election that goes beyond one name
The March 2027 vote will also put the overall trajectory of international football on the table. The expanded World Cup, the crowded calendar, the growing weight of club competitions, and debates over revenues all form part of the same issue: a global sport that is richer and more exposed, but also harder to govern without fractures.
Infantino has often built his strength on a direct relationship with national federations, speaking of development, funding, and access to global football. His opponents will therefore have to offer more than a rejection vote. They will need a method, a program, and above all a coalition capable of holding together until the deadline for submitting candidacies, set for mid-November 2026.
The campaign is now open, even if it has not yet openly declared its name. Infantino starts with the advantages of incumbency and an established network. His opponents, meanwhile, have a few months to prove that their disagreement can become an alternative. At FIFA, major maneuvers rarely begin with the whistle: they are already underway in the corridors.