Infantino faces first real challenge to FIFA presidency after Balogun red card controversy

Gianni Infantino is facing a genuine challenge to his FIFA presidency for the first time, with sources inside UEFA reportedly willing to back rival candidates ahead of next April’s FIFA congress — a vote once considered a foregone conclusion in the Swiss official’s favour.

Infantino, who replaced the banned Sepp Blatter in 2016 and is now seeking a third term, has seen his standing damaged by a series of controversies at the 2026 World Cup. The most significant centred on the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red card for one year, a decision that allowed the United States forward to play in the round of 16 against Belgium. The move came shortly after US president Donald Trump contacted Infantino and urged him to review the incident.

Infantino publicly attributed the call to an independent disciplinary committee, citing Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which permits a judicial body to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” However, subsequent reporting from The Times suggested the decision was not made independently of Infantino himself.

Among the names put forward as potential challengers, Legia Warsaw owner Dariusz Mioduski is said to command support from officials in Bosnia, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Spain. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, a Canadian, has also been identified as a candidate with long-term ambitions to lead the governing body. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi have both been mentioned in discussions but are not expected to stand.

Infantino retains significant support, particularly among smaller nations who stand to benefit from his proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams — a plan that gives many associates a direct stake in his continued leadership. Under FIFA’s current constitution, a president cannot serve a fourth term, meaning Infantino’s tenure would end in 2031 regardless of the outcome of next year’s vote.

The coming months will test whether the anger over the Balogun affair translates into a credible organised opposition, or whether Infantino’s coalition of smaller member associations proves too broad to overcome.