FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed his intention to seek re-election, as announced by the world soccer governing body on Sunday. Infantino has been under mounting pressure following his unsuccessful proposal to sell shares in the World Cup.
Despite calls for his resignation, FIFA disclosed that Infantino aims to secure a fourth and final term in office until 2031. A FIFA spokesperson reiterated that Infantino had initially declared his candidacy in April for the 2027 re-election and affirmed that his decision remains unchanged.
Amidst criticisms, UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, has spearheaded demands for Infantino’s departure, citing a loss of confidence in him and even hinting at potential boycotts of FIFA tournaments, including the prestigious World Cup. Notably, several national associations, such as the English FA, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.
Infantino refrained from commenting on his future during his attendance at the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland last Saturday. FIFA expressed regret for the missteps in its contentious plan to commercialize World Cup profits and pledged to avoid similar errors in the future.
Nonetheless, the apology has not alleviated the mounting scrutiny on Infantino’s leadership. The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential election is set for November 18, precisely four months before the scheduled vote.