According to a report by The New York Times on the 5th, FIFA President Gianni Infantino convened senior FIFA leadership in Morocco that day. Prior to this, he had proposed the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan, which would allow private capital to take stakes in the commercial and event operations of world football’s governing body. This move has triggered fierce internal criticism and strong global backlash, directly threatening his position as president.
Infantino pictured in a file photo.
A source told The Times of London on the 4th that Infantino’s gathering of senior FIFA officials in Rabat was a desperate attempt to hold onto power. His close allies have been urging many of the organization’s 211 member associations to publicly support him. The source said that a group of senior FIFA executives held a management meeting on the 4th without Infantino present, and all but one opposed the plan to sell off World Cup rights.
AFP reported on the 4th that despite Infantino withdrawing the proposal just four days after announcing it, calls for criticism and resignation are growing louder. The 56-year-old Swiss lawyer had previously seemed guaranteed a fourth and final term lasting until 2031.
The question now is whether Infantino’s opponents can rally behind a single candidate before the November 18 nomination deadline. AFP noted that the most frequently mentioned potential challenger or successor is CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani. The Canadian has led CONCACAF since 2016, bringing much-needed stability after his two predecessors were embroiled in FIFA corruption scandals. Montagliani, who also serves as a FIFA vice president, has long been viewed as a close ally of Infantino but has distanced himself over the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan.
Montagliani previously worked as a flight attendant before entering the insurance industry. According to AFP, he speaks multiple languages and enjoys considerable prestige in Vancouver, where his birthday on September 12 has even been officially designated as a commemorative day in his honor. The Guardian reported on the 4th that Montagliani has remained silent when asked about running for FIFA president in the past, but CONCACAF’s statement opposing the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan at least signals he is not indifferent to replacing Infantino. Sports Illustrated noted that Montagliani is the top candidate opposing Infantino, and his candidacy would avoid the appearance of UEFA-dominated takeover while offering a more attractive alternative to other confederations.
Another potential candidate is AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. According to the BBC, Salman was first elected AFC president in 2013 and has since been re-elected unopposed for a fourth term running until 2027. Salman has endorsed harsh criticism from the AFC regarding FIFA’s operations under Infantino’s leadership. Reuters noted that Salman, a Bahraini who serves as senior vice president of the FIFA Council, is among those opposing expanding the World Cup to 64 teams.
Reuters also mentioned that European football officials are beginning to rally around Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a top challenger to Infantino. Al-Khelaifi, 52, became president of the club in 2011 and is a Qatari businessman and former professional tennis player. However, the BBC noted that Al-Khelaifi’s chances of election are relatively low. He also serves as chairman of the European Club Association.
Al Jazeera reported that as the head of FIFA’s largest, richest, and most influential confederation, if UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin were to step forward against Infantino, he would wield significant influence among FIFA’s 211 members. Ceferin, a 58-year-old Slovenian, leads UEFA, which has been the biggest opponent of FIFA’s proposed plan, with its 55 members previously voting to boycott FIFA-organized events.
Additionally, Reuters mentioned that Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness is one of the most prominent women in global football and one of the most outspoken leaders opposing Infantino’s plan to sell World Cup shares. Sports Illustrated reported that Klaveness has been highly critical of Infantino’s leadership style.
