FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially announced his candidacy for another term in office, seeking to lead world football’s governing body for the 2027–2031 cycle.
The announcement further strengthens Infantino’s hold on global football politics, with major continental confederations already declaring strong support for his continued leadership.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has publicly backed his candidacy, contributing 47 votes, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also thrown its full support behind him with 54 votes. This gives Infantino an early total of 101 confirmed votes ahead of the FIFA presidential election.
A total of 111 votes remain to be decided from Europe, North and South America, and Oceania, but the early endorsements from Asia and Africa place the incumbent in a commanding position as preparations begin for the 2027 FIFA Congress in Morocco.
Under FIFA statutes, the presidential term limit is set at three terms. However, in 2022, the FIFA Council ruled that Infantino’s first period in office between 2016 and 2019 when he assumed leadership following the departure of former president Sepp Blatter amid corruption scandals would not count toward that limit.
This interpretation means Infantino remains eligible to serve through 2031, which, barring any future changes, would mark his final term as FIFA president.
Drama at FIFA Congress: Palestine -Israel Exchange
Meanwhile, the latest FIFA Congress was marked by political tension surrounding the long-standing dispute between Palestine and Israel within international football governance.
In a symbolic attempt to promote unity, Infantino invited Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub and Israel Football Association representative Basim Sheikh Suliman onto the stage together.
The gesture, reportedly intended as a moment of reconciliation, did not go as planned. Rajoub declined to engage, dismissing the move as symbolic without substance.
Earlier in the Congress, both officials had delivered separate addresses, with the Palestine FA once again raising concerns over Israeli settlement clubs operating in disputed territories, a matter they have pursued with FIFA for more than a decade.
Following FIFA’s refusal to take action, the issue has now been escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), adding another layer of legal and political complexity to the matter.
In another significant development, Infantino also confirmed that Iran will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and will play its group-stage matches in the United States as originally scheduled.
According to reports from L’Équipe, FIFA has rejected Iran’s request to have its matches moved outside the United States, signaling the governing body’s commitment to maintaining the original tournament structure despite geopolitical sensitivities.
Source: Gary Al Smith