Aleksander Ceferin Rules Out FIFA Presidency as Potential Challengers to Gianni Infantino Emerge

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of the running for the FIFA presidency, but noted that Gianni Infantino will likely face a challenger if he seeks re-election next year. Speaking to The Rest Is Politics: Leading podcast, Ceferin stated that he has no interest in succeeding Infantino amidst growing uncertainty surrounding the FIFA president's future, adding that his credibility is higher by remaining impartial.

Ceferin strongly criticized FIFA's proposed World Cup investment project, labeling it an even greater threat to the sport than the European Super League plan that UEFA successfully opposed in 2021. He confirmed that neither he nor UEFA had been informed about the investment proposal or a separate FIFA Peace Prize awarded to US President Donald Trump before they became public, and noted he has had no contact with Gianni Infantino since the controversy erupted.

Reflecting on the upcoming March elections, Ceferin suggested that Gianni Infantino will face opposition if he stands again, noting he could either realize he lacks broad support from the football community or face a rival candidate.

With FIFA's November 18 deadline approaching, several prominent figures are being discussed as potential candidates to challenge Gianni Infantino:

• Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and FIFA senior vice president has been a vocal critic of Gianni Infantino’s plans and previously ran against him in the 2016 FIFA elections.
• Victor Montagliani: The Concacaf president and FIFA vice president is considered a frontrunner, with his organization having recently rejected FIFA's proposals and actively considering its next steps regarding leadership.
Patrice Motsepe: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president has backed Gianni Infantino, maintaining that any challenge to his leadership should be decided strictly through the ballot box at next year's elections.