FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino is keen to run for a second term, despite a surge of disapproval after an ill-fated scheme to auction off a share of FIFA’s events to private companies fell through. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that Infantino has plans to run for re-election in 2027, despite suggestions that pressure may be compelling him to think again.
Since selling a 20 percent stake in the World Cup and other FIFA matches was abandoned in July, amid the widespread opposition to the measure, the 56-year-old has been under growing pressure to quit his job. The Infantino has come under pressure from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, who all have requested his resignation, ahead of the next round of presidential elections in FIFA.
But Infantino still enjoys good support from the African and South American football confederations, and the matter remains far from resolved.
There has been no change, the FIFA spokesperson said, “The FIFA president announced in April that he will be re-elected in 2027 – of course he is,” he said. When asked if he regretted the tumultuous few days surrounding the proposal for an investment, Infantino made only a passing comment.
The previously announced plan had raised questions about FIFA’s business approach and whether private investors would be included in the governing body’s big events. Despite the failures, however, Infantino seems to be ready to run for a fourth term – and stay at the top of world football.
In the months to come, this may be a defining moment for the FIFA’s member associations, as they discuss the conflicting viewpoints of the confederations and evaluate Infantino’s leadership in the run-up to the next FIFA election in 2027.
