The race for the FIFA presidency has taken a dramatic turn after UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin ruled himself out of challenging Gianni Infantino, while warning that the FIFA chief could still face an opponent in the 2027 election.
Ceferin said he was not interested in replacing Infantino because he wants to continue working at UEFA and believes his position is stronger if he does not appear to be seeking FIFA’s top job. However, he said he expects another candidate to emerge if Infantino seeks a fourth term.
The World Cup Commercial Rights Fight
The dispute goes far beyond the FIFA election 2027. Ceferin has strongly criticised Infantino’s abandoned proposal to create a commercial company that would sell a 20% stake in FIFA tournament rights to private investors. He described the plan as worse than the controversial European Super League proposal that collapsed in 2021.
The proposal triggered resistance from several football bodies and was eventually shelved after widespread criticism. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have also pushed for an independent investigation into the plan.
The argument is really about control. Critics fear that bringing private investors into World Cup commercial rights could change how FIFA’s biggest competitions are controlled and financed.
Six Nordic Nations Turn Up The Pressure
The backlash has now moved beyond UEFA’s leadership. Football associations from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands said they had lost confidence in Infantino and raised concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making.
They also backed calls for an independent review and demanded safeguards against private ownership of FIFA competitions. That matters because Infantino has traditionally relied on support from football associations outside Europe, particularly those that benefit from FIFA development funding.
He is now presenting himself as a defender of smaller and less wealthy football nations, arguing that FIFA should help close the financial gap between major football countries and the rest of the world.
Who Could Challenge Infantino?
Ceferin’s decision leaves the biggest question unanswered. Infantino is expected to seek re-election in March 2027, but the opposition has not yet settled on a candidate. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa have been mentioned as possible names, although neither has confirmed a bid.
The nomination deadline is November 18, meaning the coming months could become crucial. Ceferin may not want the FIFA presidency, but his message is clear: Infantino should not assume that the 2027 election will be uncontested.
