FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Thursday that he plans to seek re-election for a fourth term, aiming to continue leading world soccer's governing body. He confirmed his candidacy for the 2027–2031 term during the closing moments of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, less than two months before the start of the World Cup.
Election Details
The election will be held on March 18 in Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Infantino expressed that he was “honored and humbled” to have the opportunity to run for a fourth term. The Italian-Swiss official took office in 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023.
Expansion of Competitions
During his tenure, Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions. This year's World Cup in North America will be the first to feature 48 teams, while the women's tournament in 2023 was expanded to 32 teams. These changes have been a hallmark of his leadership.
Criticism and Support
Infantino's tenure has also drawn criticism over issues such as high World Cup ticket prices and the decision to award the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump at the World Cup draw in December. Despite this, he enjoys strong support from regional bodies. Earlier this month, the council of South American football's governing body (CONMEBOL) stated it would unanimously support the 56-year-old if he decided to seek another term.
