Infantino Set for Third Term as FIFA President, Running Unopposed

Gianni Infantino is moving closer to a third term leading FIFA. With less than five months until the nomination deadline of November 18, the incumbent president remains the sole officially declared candidate for the March 18, 2027, election, which will take place at FIFA’s 77th Congress in Rabat, Morocco.

Yet the summer proved turbulent for the Italian-Swiss-Lebanese executive. Criticized for considering selling World Cup stakes to private investors, he faced severe backlash and coordinated opposition notably from UEFA. He held firm.

In office since 2016 — after benefiting from Michel Platini’s legal troubles, his former boss at UEFA — Infantino announced long ago his intention to seek another term. His potential rivals, meanwhile, are backing away one by one.

Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF president and once seen as the main rival, is unlikely to enter the race according to the BBC. The Canadian would prefer to keep his position by seeking another term as head of the North American confederation.

Another name in circulation is Ramon Vega, a former Swiss international turned businessman. He announced Wednesday he is seriously considering running, but according to L’Équipe he does not yet have the necessary endorsements, making him for now an unlikely outsider to threaten Infantino.

November 18 remains the key date: the deadline by which any candidate must file their application. Without a credible rival by then, Infantino will be re-elected unopposed to lead world football’s governing body until 2031.