On Sunday, FIFA announced that President Gianni Infantino will run for re-election.
Infantino is under increasing scrutiny due to his unsuccessful initiative to sell shares in the World Cup.
In spite of mounting demands for his resignation, FIFA confirmed that Infantino aims to secure a fourth and final term in office, lasting until 2031, during the elections next year.
A spokesperson for FIFA stated, “The FIFA President declared in April his intention to run for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for re-election.”
UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, has been at the forefront of calls for Infantino’s departure, expressing a loss of confidence in him and previously threatening to boycott FIFA events, including the World Cup. Several national associations, including the English FA, have retracted their support for Infantino’s bid for re-election.
When asked about his future upon arriving for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Saturday, Infantino chose not to comment.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino declines to address his future while at U20 Women’s World Cup
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UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA’s Infantino over World Cup sell-off
He told Sky News, “There will be much to discuss, but the appropriate time and place for that will come. It’s not today, nor here; for now, we are celebrating football.”
FIFA has expressed regret over mistakes related to its contentious proposal to sell World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary, pledging to “ensure such errors do not recur.”
However, this has not alleviated the mounting pressure on Infantino’s role.
The deadline for candidates to enter the upcoming presidential race is November 18, exactly four months before the election day.
