UEFA moves to block Infantino’s FIFA re-election, eyes PSG President Al-Khelaifi as challenger

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UEFA is actively working to prevent Gianni Infantino from securing a third term as FIFA president in 2027, with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi emerging as the leading candidate to challenge the Swiss-Italian incumbent.

The election, scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco, comes after a World Cup campaign marred by controversies that have severely strained relations between European football’s governing body and FIFA. According to reports from English journalist Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT, UEFA is now searching for a candidate capable of uniting European federations against Infantino.

Al-Khelaïfi: The Preferred Choice

The Qatari businessman, who also serves as chairman of beIN Sports and president of the European Football Clubs association, is seen as a compelling candidate. His profile is considered particularly strong given his dual footprint in European and Asian football, through PSG’s UEFA connections and Qatar’s influence within the Asian Football Confederation.

Several European federations, including Belgium and Poland, have reportedly been pushing for Al-Khelaïfi’s candidacy. However, sources close to the PSG president have indicated he currently has no intention of running, with one associate describing the speculation as “ridiculous” media noise.

The Polish Alternative

Should Al-Khelaïfi decline to enter the race, UEFA could turn to Dariusz Mioduski, the president of Polish club Legia Warsaw and the Polish Football Association.

Mioduski has reportedly garnered support from a significant bloc of European federations, including Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Spain. The 18 November 2026 deadline for candidate nominations means UEFA has a limited window to consolidate behind a single challenger.

A Growing List of Grievances

European football’s frustration with Infantino has intensified throughout the 2026 World Cup, with several flashpoints driving the wedge deeper between UEFA and FIFA:

The Balogun Red-Card Controversy: The most explosive incident saw US president Donald Trump personally intervene with Infantino to overturn a red card and one-match ban for USMNT star Folarin Balogun. The suspension was reversed following a phone call between the two leaders, prompting UEFA to declare that FIFA had “crossed a red line”. Human rights group FairSquare has filed a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee, alleging Infantino violated political neutrality rules.

The Trump Alliance: Infantino’s close relationship with the US president has drawn widespread criticism. He attended Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, awarded Trump FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025, and has publicly described Trump as “a really close friend”. EU lawmakers have called for an ethics investigation.

World Cup Expansion: Infantino’s push to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, following the already-controversial move to 48 teams for 2026, has been widely criticised in Europe.

The Club World Cup: UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has previously opposed FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, with the two organisations clashing repeatedly over the tournament’s scheduling and format.

Cooling Breaks: The introduction of hydration breaks during matches has also been a point of contention.

Why Čeferin Won’t Run

While UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin would be the natural candidate to challenge Infantino, the Slovenian is expected to seek re-election as UEFA president rather than making a bid for FIFA’s top job. This has left UEFA searching for an alternative who can unite European football behind a single banner.

Infantino’s Unshakeable Support

Despite UEFA’s efforts, Infantino remains the heavy favourite for re-election. According to The Guardian, more than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations have formally endorsed his candidacy. He continues to enjoy strong support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The German Football Association (DFB) has notably refused to sign a letter of support for Infantino’s re-election, though even this snub is unlikely to seriously threaten his path to victory. As one analysis noted, unseating Infantino would require a “political earthquake”.

Other Potential Challengers

Beyond Al-Khelaïfi and Mioduski, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has long been seen as harbouring ambitions for FIFA’s presidency, while CAF president Patrice Motsepe has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.

The battle lines are now drawn. Whether European football can unite behind a single challenger — and whether that challenger can overcome Infantino’s formidable global coalition — will define the most significant FIFA election in years.