UEFA's Aleksander Ceferin Declines FIFA Presidency but Warns Gianni Infantino to Step Down or Face Challenge
Ceferin Rules Out FIFA Presidency Bid but Sends Warning to Infantino
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has announced he will not challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. Yet, he did not hold back in sending a stern message to the current FIFA chief: resign or prepare for a tough contest at the next FIFA Congress.
Infantino Under Intense Pressure Over World Cup Plans
Infantino’s position is under serious threat following his controversial efforts to secure private funding for future World Cups. These abandoned plans sparked harsh criticism, with UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC considering a vote of no confidence. European football leaders even threatened a broad boycott of FIFA events amid accusations of misleading conduct.
Despite this turmoil, Ceferin made it clear he won’t be entering the FIFA race. Seen by many as a likely contender, he instead wants to dedicate himself fully to his current role at UEFA.
Ceferin Foresees a Leadership Battle Ahead
On The Rest Is Politics podcast, Ceferin explained his decision: "I’m not interested for two reasons. One, I love UEFA and enjoy working here, and sometimes you need to enjoy life a bit. Two, my credibility stays stronger if I don’t pursue that position."
Although stepping aside, Ceferin warned of a coming showdown. "Things change daily," he said. "I haven’t spoken with Infantino, but there are two paths: either he realizes he lacks support—not just from voters, but from fans, players, coaches, and the football community—or he runs again in March, in which case, he will face an opponent. Who that might be, I don’t know yet."
European Backlash Against Infantino and FIFA’s Defensive Tactics
Infantino’s decline in Europe is striking. Once supported heavily by the continent during his 2016 election, many associations—including those from the UK and Ireland—have withdrawn their backing. To counter this, FIFA seems to portray the opposition as an elitist European movement. Ceferin rejected this idea outright, criticizing Infantino for trying to divide the global game against UEFA.
"I hear they play on the idea that arrogant Europe is against us," Ceferin said. "They claim to help the small and poor, but someone should remind him he’s European and was supported by UEFA—something he appears to have forgotten."
March FIFA Congress Could Decide Football’s Leadership Future
The upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco will be crucial. While Infantino still holds backing from African and South American confederations, a coordinated no-confidence vote could bring unprecedented change. Should Infantino refuse to step down, an opposition candidate is likely to emerge soon. For now, the football world watches closely to see who will officially oppose his troubled presidency.
