UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running for the FIFA presidency while warning Gianni Infantino that he will face an election challenger next March. Ceferin slammed Infantino’s failed World Cup private investment plan as worse than the European Super League, amid mounting pressure from global football confederations.
The simmering governance crisis at the heart of global football intensified as UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin ruled himself out of succeeding Gianni Infantino. Speaking on the British podcast The Rest is Politics: Leading
, Ceferin insisted he remains committed to European football and values his independence too much to seek the top job at world football’s governing body.
Instead, the UEFA chief delivered a stark warning to Infantino ahead of the FIFA elections scheduled for March. FIFA has set November 18 as the deadline for potential challengers to officially enter the race, leaving Infantino’s political future hanging in the balance following a severe global backlash over his commercial ambitions.
The Failed World Cup Sell-Off Plan That Sparked a Revolt
The current turmoil stems from Infantino’s doomed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup through the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme. The project would have handed private equity investors a 21 percent stake in a company managing the commercial and ticketing rights of FIFA competitions. The plan collapsed at the start of August in the face of widespread international opposition.
“I think this plan is even worse than the Super League plan. Super important clubs wanted to do their own league, which is wrong, and would destroy football. But in this case, football would be literally sold.”
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President
Ceferin noted that opposition stretched far beyond Europe’s wealthiest football associations. While powerhouse federations from England and Germany opposed the project due to financial scale, smaller nations joined the chorus of rejection. Federations from San Marino, Cyprus, and Liechtenstein made it clear that their tournaments were not for sale.
Splits Across Global Confederations and Infantino’s Political Survival
Pressure on Infantino continues to mount across multiple fronts. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation have pushed for the FIFA president to quit, with European officials even floating the threat of a complete boycott of FIFA competitions. Meanwhile, talks are underway with CONCACAF to establish a combined Nations League tournament.
Infantino spent the weekend courting support from CONCACAF members at a meeting in the Dominican Republic. Ceferin revealed that he has had no direct contact with Infantino since the investment scandal fractured relations between the two organizations.
“There are two options. One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches. And the second option that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President
Why Ceferin Chose to Stay at UEFA
Addressing speculation that he might swap Nyon for Zurich, Ceferin firmly closed the door on a presidential campaign. He explained that his decision rests on personal fulfillment and institutional credibility.
“One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point you have also, I mean, it’s time also to enjoy life a bit. Let’s see till when. And the second point is, my credibility is much, much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President
Ceferin also took aim at what he perceives as a false narrative pushed by FIFA regarding European arrogance. He reminded observers that Infantino is a European who was supported by UEFA during his rise to the top of world football.
As the November nomination deadline approaches, football administrators across Europe and beyond await whether Infantino will attempt to weather the storm or face a contested election.
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