Five leading football administrators have emerged as potential candidates to replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president after the governing body’s failed World Cup stake sale proposal triggered the biggest political crisis of his tenure.
Infantino wants another four-year term when FIFA’s 211 member associations vote at the Congress in Morocco on 18 March next year. However, his abandoned plan to raise $4.2 billion by selling a stake in a new commercial rights company has damaged his support and encouraged rival candidates to consider entering the race.
The FIFA president withdrew the proposal after widespread opposition from key stakeholders. UEFA and CONCACAF declared they had lost confidence in his leadership, while the Asian Football Confederation criticised FIFA’s lack of consultation and called for institutional reform. Five European football associations, including England’s Football Association, have also withdrawn their backing for Infantino’s re-election, although Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Sri Lanka remain among the federations that continue to support him.
The first prominent name linked with the presidency is CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani. The Canadian football executive reportedly considered challenging Infantino after rejecting the private equity proposal, although his confederation stopped short of calling for a complete boycott of FIFA.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin also stands out as a leading contender. The Slovenian became one of Infantino’s strongest critics during the dispute and boycotted the 2026 World Cup final following a series of disagreements between UEFA and FIFA.
Another possible challenger is AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. The Bahraini official serves as a senior vice-president on the FIFA Council and criticised the consultation process surrounding the proposed stake sale, saying it exposed weaknesses in FIFA’s decision-making.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has also entered the conversation. Reports suggest several European football officials view the Qatari sports executive as a credible alternative if the opposition unites behind a single candidate.
Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness completes the list of the most prominent potential challengers. One of the strongest critics of the World Cup stake sale proposal, she has built a reputation as an outspoken advocate for governance reforms and could become FIFA’s first female president if she contests the election.
Infantino’s immediate challenge is to rebuild support before nominations close on 18 November. He also faces the possibility of an Extraordinary Congress if enough member associations demand one before the election.
For his opponents, the task is different. While several influential figures have emerged, they must decide whether to unite behind one candidate or risk dividing the anti-Infantino vote when FIFA members gather in Morocco next March.
