Pressure on Gianni Infantino increases as Uefa members prepare to oppose re-election

Pressure is intensifying on FIFA President Gianni Infantino as numerous UEFA member associations are actively preparing to oppose his re-election for a fourth term, scheduled for March 2027. This growing opposition largely stems from a recently abandoned proposal by Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. European football's governing body, UEFA, along with its 55 member nations, unanimously rejected this plan and threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions if it proceeded.

Following the significant backlash, Infantino withdrew the divisive investment project. However, the move has not placated critics, with European countries now planning a widespread withdrawal of their letters of support for his re-election, which many had previously provided. This shift in allegiance, particularly from influential European federations like the English FA and Germany, signals a serious challenge to Infantino's previously anticipated unopposed re-election.

Although Infantino had secured endorsements from around 200 of FIFA's 211 member associations, the deadline for alternative candidates to declare is November 18, 2026. UEFA has openly stated it has lost confidence in his leadership and is actively exploring potential candidates to challenge him, making a contested election significantly more probable than initially expected.