Ceferin Rules Out FIFA Presidential Bid as Infantino Faces Mounting Pressure
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has explicitly ruled out challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, while predicting that the under-fire football chief will either step down or face a contested election at the upcoming FIFA Congress.
Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast, Ceferin confirmed he has no intention of leaving his current role at UEFA to run for world football’s top position, citing his commitment to European football and the credibility of maintaining his stance from outside the race.
Infantino’s leadership has drawn intense criticism following a controversial proposal to introduce private investment into a company structured to run FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. The plan prompted a swift backlash from continental and national federations, with UEFA threatening a potential boycott of FIFA competitions.
According to Ceferin, Infantino’s political support across the broader football ecosystem—including fans, players, and coaches—has eroded significantly. With the FIFA Congress scheduled to convene in Morocco, Ceferin noted that Infantino will likely face a challenger if he decides to seek re-election, pointing to potential candidates such as CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation Chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.
Addressing the controversy during recent meetings with regional officials in the Dominican Republic, Infantino defended the necessity of open dialogue, stating that he remains focused on listening to feedback while highlighting the support he continues to receive across various delegations.
