UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin gestures during a press conference while ruling out a FIFA presidency bid and calling for Gianni Infantino’s resignation.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out challenging Gianni Infantino for FIFA’s top job, as tensions between the two football governing bodies deepen.
Ceferin warned that Infantino must consider stepping down or face a contested election scheduled for March 2027. His remarks highlight growing disagreements over the leadership and commercial direction of global football.
The dispute could affect relations between FIFA, UEFA and national football associations. It also raises questions about tournament planning, international fixtures and the distribution of football revenues.
Ceferin Rejects FIFA Presidency Bid
Speaking on The Rest Is Politics podcast, the 58-year-old Slovenian said he remained committed to leading European football.
Ceferin explained that pursuing the FIFA presidency would undermine neither his personal priorities nor his commitment to UEFA. He also suggested that remaining outside the race would strengthen his credibility.
“I’m not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here,” Ceferin said.
He added that he wanted to enjoy life more while maintaining his current responsibilities.
Investment Plan Deepens FIFA Rift
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016, following the departure of former president Sepp Blatter. However, proposed private investment arrangements involving FIFA competitions have reportedly fuelled opposition among European football officials.
The proposal, which has since been abandoned, intensified concerns among stakeholders about the commercial direction of major tournaments.
Relations between UEFA and FIFA have deteriorated amid the disagreement. Ceferin also indicated that communication between the two organisations’ leadership had broken down.
The dispute has raised the possibility of European football associations considering boycotts of FIFA competitions.
Infantino Could Face Election Challenge
Ceferin said Infantino must assess whether he retains support across the wider football community, including players, coaches, fans and voting associations.
“There are two options. One option is that he realizes that he doesn’t have the support,” Ceferin said.
He added that Infantino could contest the election but might face a challenger.
Potential candidates mentioned in discussions about the FIFA presidency include CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa. Neither should be considered a confirmed candidate without an official announcement.
March 2027 Election in Focus
The next FIFA presidential election is expected to shape the organisation’s leadership and relations with continental governing bodies.
For African football associations, the developments could influence discussions around international competitions, commercial partnerships and the global game’s administration.
The coming months will be crucial as football officials assess their positions ahead of the election. Whether Infantino seeks another term against an opponent remains a key question in the unfolding dispute.
