Sole candidate in Rabat, Infantino heading toward FIFA re-election

Gianni Infantino is heading toward a new term at the helm of FIFA. Less than three weeks before the electoral congress scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, the incumbent president remains the only officially declared candidate to succeed himself in the position he has held since 2016.

His path to re-election has not been without obstacles. The revelation of his plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors triggered fierce opposition, led by UEFA, and put Infantino in the crosshairs of several federations and confederations. However, the storm has not been enough to produce a credible rival.

The absence of an alternative candidacy is concerning observers. Former commentator Pierre Ménès summed up the prevailing sense of helplessness: “There is no candidate who appears to be stepping forward and I find it hard to imagine someone emerging from the woodwork at the last moment. And especially rallying behind him. Because voting against Infantino is one thing. Voting for an illustrious unknown who will not have presented his programme is also very complicated.” He added that he feared seeing the current leader “obtain the votes allowing him to continue his work” for four additional years.

UEFA nonetheless retains two levers. It could, on one hand, present a surprise candidate before the candidacy deadline closes. It could, on the other hand, obtain what it has been demanding since the start of the controversy: Infantino’s suspension before the vote. Neither of these two options appears, for now, on the verge of materializing.

If the situation remains unchanged, Infantino, in office since Michel Platini’s fall, will begin a new term until 2027 following the Moroccan congress.