UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running for the office of FIFA president in March 2027.
“I’m not interested,” said the “leader of the rebellion” against the embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the British podcast *The Rest is Politics*. He emphasized that he loves UEFA and his work there, adding that as an opponent of Infantino, his “credibility is far greater if I have no interest in that position.” His own term as head of the European soccer union also ends in 2027.
Regardless of his decision not to run for the presidency of the world governing body, Ceferin—who has been UEFA president since 2016—is keeping the pressure on Infantino high. Infantino has been in a deep crisis ever since his controversial plan to open the world governing body to external investors failed.
“Arrogant Europe is against us”
UEFA wants a fresh start—without Infantino. “The first option is for him to realize that he doesn’t have the support,” Ceferin explained. “The other option is for him to run in the election. In that case, I believe we will field a rival candidate. I don’t know yet who that will be.”
Ceferin also stated that he has not spoken with Infantino, the former UEFA general secretary, since the crisis began. “From what I hear,” Ceferin said, FIFA is “playing the ‘arrogant Europe is against us’ card.” But: “I think someone should remind him that he is European and was supported by UEFA.”
The FIFA presidential election will take place in March 2027 in Morocco’s capital, Rabat, and will be decided by a majority of the 211 members. Currently, Infantino is the only candidate.
In addition to the candidacy from Europe announced by Ceferin, Canadian CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani could emerge as a challenger. Alongside UEFA, the Confederation of North, Central America, and the Caribbean—as well as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)—is one of the FIFA president’s loudest critics.
All three confederations recently signed a joint statement aimed at uniting the “soccer family” behind their cause.
Infantino Ignores Montagliani’s Request
Infantino himself had been in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, even though Montagliani had asked him to stay away from a U-14 youth tournament there. FIFA released video statements from the 56-year-old.
It is important, Infantino said, “to get involved, to engage in dialogue, to express views and opinions. “A lot has happened in recent weeks, and it’s important to listen, to hear others out, and to be able to express how you feel.” Overall, he said, “I’m feeling positive; I’m very, very happy about all the support I’m receiving here.”