FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers a speech at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia.Image: keystone
April 30, 2026, 10:41 p.mApril 30, 2026, 10:41 p.m
Gianni Infantino is running for re-election as FIFA President for the third time next year. The 56-year-old announced his candidacy for another term at the world association’s congress in Vancouver.
“I want to confirm that I will be a candidate for the election of FIFA president next year,” Infantino said to the representatives of the member associations.
Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 and was confirmed in office twice without any opposition. According to the statutes, a FIFA president can serve a maximum of three terms in office. However, since Infantino’s first three and a half years as FIFA President are not counted, he can be re-elected to a final term of office in 2027 for four years until 2031.
No opposition yet
An opposing candidate has not yet declared himself, and there is currently no opposition to Infantino in sight in the football world. Three weeks ago, the council of the South American continental association Conmebol voted unanimously for Infantino’s re-election. The African and Asian associations announced their full support shortly before the congress. This means that Infantino would already have the majority required for re-election. There had been criticism of the Swiss’s administration on several occasions in the past from European football.
On Tuesday, the FIFA Council decided on the official schedule for the next presidential election. Candidates can be nominated by FIFA member associations until November 18th. The election will take place at the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. (sda/dpa)