FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed his intention to run for re-election, according to an announcement from the global soccer governing body on Sunday. Infantino has been under mounting pressure following the collapse of his proposal to sell shares in the World Cup. Despite widespread calls for his resignation, FIFA has stated that Infantino will campaign for a fourth and final term in office until 2031.
In response to critics, a FIFA spokesperson reaffirmed Infantino’s candidacy for the 2027 re-election, emphasizing that there have been no changes to his plans. UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, has been at the forefront of demands for Infantino to step down, citing a loss of confidence and even threatening to boycott FIFA events, including the World Cup. Several national associations, such as the English FA, have also withdrawn their support for Infantino’s bid for re-election.
Infantino declined to address questions about his future during the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Saturday. He mentioned that there would be an appropriate time and place to discuss the matter, adding, “It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football.”
In light of the controversy surrounding the failed World Cup commercial subsidiary plan, FIFA issued an apology for the mistakes made and committed to preventing similar errors in the future. However, the apology has not alleviated the mounting pressure on Infantino. The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential election is November 18, four months ahead of the voting date.