European football authorities are convening in Berlin this week to address the urgent need for a strategy to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. This summit of 55 member federations, previously scheduled, has taken on added significance as European officials intensify their efforts to identify a viable leadership alternative for the world football governing body.
Discontent within UEFA has been fueled by Infantino’s controversial and short-lived plan for a private investment in the World Cup, which failed shortly after its unveiling in July. The move exacerbated long-standing tensions regarding Infantino’s approach to the presidency, with UEFA leaders describing his management style as increasingly executive and opaque.
Beyond searching for a challenger, UEFA is preparing to take legal action against the FIFA president. The organization is planning to file a criminal complaint in Switzerland concerning potential financial mismanagement linked to the controversial World Cup sell-off deal. Furthermore, UEFA has requested that United States courts grant authorization to discover evidence related to the case.
Reflecting the growing frustration, UEFA general-secretary Theodore Theodoridis remarked last month that things had gone too far with FIFA and that there is a collective desire to restore the organization to its proper state. UEFA aims to use the Berlin summit to debate policy, strategy, and international competition, while focusing on proposals to foster greater transparency at FIFA.
The electoral landscape remains complex, with the vote scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Europe’s 55 federations represent more than a quarter of the 211 voting members, yet they remain divided. While European leaders organize, research by The Associated Press suggests Infantino has already secured approximately 90 pledges of support, even before a formal opponent has declared candidacy. Infantino has actively campaigned, recently meeting with government and football officials in Prague. Research by The Associated Press news agency suggests Infantino already has about 90 votes pledged – albeit before any potential opponent is known. The home country of a close aide, and Latvia, infantino has support promised from Azerbaijan.
Time is of the essence, as any challenger must enter the race by the November 18 deadline. Potential candidates remain a subject of intense speculation. Although UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin joined vice presidents from Asia and North America in criticizing Infantino earlier this year, Ceferin has consistently denied interest in the FIFA presidency, suggesting instead that there are many potential alternatives. First, UEFA and its allies worldwide need to agree on at least one candidate to challenge Infantino by the November 18 deadline to enter the race.
Other prominent figures, including CONCACAF’s Victor Montagliani and the AFC’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, appear unlikely to run. Montagliani is prioritizing his own re-election, and Sheikh Salman, who previously contested the 2016 race against Infantino, has not confirmed a new bid. Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently dismissed rumors of a potential candidacy. He had been favourite in a five-man campaign that Infantino eventually won in February 2016.
