By Our Reporter
Gianni Infantino will seek re-election as FIFA president in 2027 despite growing pressure over his controversial and ultimately failed plan to sell stakes in the commercial profits of the World Cup.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Infantino remains committed to contesting the election and serving a fourth and final term, which would keep him in office until 2031.
“The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Infantino’s position has come under increasing scrutiny following the collapse of the proposed plan to commercialise World Cup profits through a separate FIFA subsidiary.
FIFA has apologised for errors surrounding the controversial initiative and pledged to ensure that similar problems do not occur again. However, the apology has failed to end calls for Infantino to leave office.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, has been among his strongest critics. The organisation has said it has lost confidence in the FIFA president and has previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Several national football associations, including the English Football Association, have also withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.
Infantino declined to discuss his future on Saturday when he arrived in Katowice, Poland, for the opening of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” he told Sky News.
The deadline for candidates to enter the 2027 FIFA presidential race is November 18, exactly four months before the election.
If re-elected, Infantino would serve his fourth and final term through 2031.