Who Might Succeed Gianni Infantino? A Look at FIFA's Election Procedures

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing significant backlash following his controversial attempt to sell stakes in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, a move that has since been retracted but has nonetheless angered football organizations globally. This situation has jeopardized Infantino's position, leading several European football associations to withdraw their support for his re-election in March 2027.

Among the dissenting voices are UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, all of which have expressed their opposition to Infantino's leadership. The controversy centers around the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary proposed last week that aimed to manage FIFA tournaments and their commercial rights. Initially valued at $20 billion, the plan sought to raise $4.2 billion by selling a 20% stake to private investors. However, the proposal was quickly abandoned after facing widespread criticism.

According to reports, five European football associations, including the Football Association of England, Wales, Serbia, Sweden, and Finland, have rescinded their letters of support for Infantino's re-election. Denmark, which had not previously supported him, confirmed it would not do so in the future. The English FA has called for a comprehensive review of FIFA's governance, while the Swedish Football Association cited ongoing issues with governance and transparency as reasons for their withdrawal.

Signs of discontent have also emerged within FIFA's headquarters in Zurich. Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour expressed that staff felt misled regarding the FFE, labeling it as "the project of one person." This internal unrest adds to the mounting pressure on Infantino as he approaches the upcoming election.

Under FIFA's statutes, an Extraordinary Congress can be convened if at least one-fifth of the 211 member associations submit a formal request. With UEFA alone holding 55 member associations, the combined strength of UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation could easily surpass the required threshold to call for such a meeting. Reports suggest that these confederations are prepared to take drastic measures, including the formation of breakaway competitions, should Infantino refuse to resign.

As the election approaches, Infantino's interpretation of FIFA's term limits is also under scrutiny. Following the resignation of former president Sepp Blatter amid a corruption scandal, FIFA instituted a term limit that restricts presidents to three terms or 12 years. Infantino contends that his initial three-year term should not count against this limit, potentially allowing him to serve for a total of 15 years.

While no official challengers have emerged yet, speculation is growing around potential candidates, including Victor Montagliani, the head of CONCACAF, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain. With the election deadline approaching, Infantino has a limited window to solidify his support, particularly among smaller federations that rely on FIFA development grants.