UEFA seeks candidate to challenge Gianni Infantino in FIFA election

UEFA is actively searching for a credible candidate to challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming election scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. UEFA Vice-President Laura McAllister stated that the organization is focused on finding a leader capable of uniting football's global confederations and implementing lasting governance reforms, rather than simply installing a European figurehead.

The push for leadership change follows significant opposition to Infantino's proposal to sell up to 20 percent stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. This plan, which faced resistance from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF, ultimately collapsed.

While Infantino intends to seek re-election, several European national associations have withdrawn their support. Norwegian Football President Lise Klaveness has noted that the lack of a formal challenger ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline creates uncertainty, describing the current situation as a “waiting game” involving behind-the-scenes political maneuvering.