Gianni Infantino’s days as FIFA president appear to be numbered after European body, UEFA announced their loss of confidence in his leadership on Saturday.
UEFA did not hold back in expressing their displeasure with Infantino’s leadership after FIFA confirmed withdrawal of their proposal for the sale of a part of the World Cup commercial rights to investors.
The proposed move that was expected to see each of FIFA’s 211 member associations receiving an increased $20 million per cycle boomeranged and has opened some wounds around transparency in the world football governing body.
FIFA has been accused of lacking transparency in financial dealings andUEFA has led opposition from other confederations in withdrawing its support for Infantino.
Infantino who has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, is preparing to contest for a third-term but UEFA’s withdrawal has now dealt a huge blow to his re-election bid.
Who Could Replace Gianni Infantino As FIFA President?
Striver.Football analyses the top candidates that could succeed Infantino as FIFA president if they declare their candidacy for the March 2027 election.
The FIFA presidency election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco during the 75th FIFA Congress.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi
The Qatari businessman has grown in influence beyond Asian football, with his commendable achievements shining in Europe through Paris Saint-Germain.
Al-Khelaifi should not be short of support if he declare his candidacy for top administrative role in football.
The 52-year-old is the chairman of beIN Media Group, Qatar Sports Investment as well as president of PSG and president of Qatar Tennis Federation.
He has undisputedly positioned Qatar as the key following the successful hosting of the 2022 World Cup and strategic partnership deals across the world.
Aleksander Ceferin
The Slovenian football administrator is not a stranger in world football having held the top position in UEFA since 2016.
As UEFA boss, Ceferin appears to be championing the protest against Infantino’s presidency.
He is currently serving in the incumbent FIFA administration as vice-president but if he chooses to stand, he could be eyeing a step higher in his sports administration career.
Patrice Motsepe
As CAF president, Motsepe commands the largest confederation in FIFA and his financial standing as one of Africa's wealthiest businessmen positions him well for the FIFA presidency.
The South African businessman leads a united CAF that unanimously accepted his reforms like expansion of participating teams at AFCON and the new four-year format for AFCON tournaments.
Motsepe is a strong ally of Infantino but the chaos at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final could be a stain on his white linen with respect to organisation of global competitions.
Victor Montagliani
Montaglini is another FIFA vice-president, just like Ceferin and he heads the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
He assumed the CONCACAF position in 2016 after leading the Canadian Soccer and he played prominent role in landing the hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup.
Montaglini also gets some of the credit for the successful hosting of the recently-concluded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, it remains to be seen if the Canadian will throw his hat in the ring ahead of the November deadline for submission of interest to contest for the FIFA presidency.
What Happens Next In The FIFA Presidential Race?
UEFA's public withdrawal of confidence has changed the conversation around FIFA's leadership, but it has not yet changed the election itself.
Infantino remains FIFA president and, unless he decides otherwise, is still expected to seek a third term when member associations gather for the 75th FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.
Any challenger will need to build support across FIFA's 211 member associations rather than relying solely on backing from Europe. While UEFA's influence remains significant, the votes of CAF, AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and OFC will ultimately determine who leads world football over the next four years.
For now, no official challenger has declared their candidacy, meaning the names discussed remain potential contenders rather than confirmed candidates. However, UEFA's criticism has ensured that FIFA's leadership and governance will remain one of football's biggest off-field talking points in the months leading up to the election.
Whether Infantino secures another mandate or world football begins a new chapter under different leadership, the 2027 FIFA presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most significant in the organisation's modern history.
