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Infantino seeks re-election
FIFA president Gianni Infantino will seek re-election in March 2027 despite renewed opposition tied to his now-abandoned plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions to private investors, FIFA said on Sunday.
“Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election”
A FIFA spokesperson told Sky News, "The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed."
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Reuters reported that Infantino had previously announced he would seek a fourth term in March next year and that the plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions was scrapped amid widespread backlash in July.
Reuters also said Infantino remained tight-lipped when asked whether he regretted the turbulent last six weeks while attending the U-20 World Cup in Poland on Saturday, adding that no one had formally announced a candidacy to challenge him.
UEFA opposition and legal fight
The pushback against Infantino has been led by UEFA, which had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions including the World Cup over the private investment plan, and Reuters said calls for him to resign came from UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF after the 20% stake plan was scrapped.
Hindustan Times reported that UEFA filed legal papers in the United States last week seeking access to evidence and documents from FIFA over Infantino’s plan, and it said UEFA warned it could also file a criminal complaint in Switzerland.
Hindustan Times also said any challenger must receive support from at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations to enter the race, while it noted UEFA had dropped the idea of trying to force a vote of no confidence.
In Poland, Sky News said Infantino declined Sky News questions on his future and answered generally about his mission to grow football, saying, "There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this."
Congress date and stakes
FIFA confirmed the election will be held at the 77th FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco, as Infantino seeks a fourth and final term.
“The 77th FIFA Congress will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027”
USA Today said the 77th FIFA Congress will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027, and it reported that candidates must declare their intent to run by Nov. 18.
Reuters said Infantino retains support from the African and South American confederations, even as it reported that European opposition has intensified after the July backlash and the scrapping of the private investment plan.
Sky News described the battle as moving to American courts, with FIFA fighting off what it called a UEFA "smear campaign" trying to gain documents related to potential criminal action in Switzerland, while Infantino characterized the abandoned venture as being about trying to generate more cash for FAs.