UEFA Chief Gives FIFA’s Gianni Infantino Two Options As Power Crisis Peaks

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has given Gianni Infantino two choices, neither of which involve the FIFA president remaining in power by next year.

“One option is that he realizes that he doesn’t have the support, and not only the 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 and coaches,” Čeferin said Sunday on The Rest Is Politics podcast.

“The second option is that that he goes to to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”

Čeferin, who is also a FIFA vice-president, was originally pegged to be a possible candidate for the FIFA presidency. He and UEFA have been the most outspoken against Infantino in the wake of the president’s attempt to sell stakes of the World Cup to private investors.

UEFA are currently boycotting FIFA competitions and reportedly making plans to establish a separate tournament with Concacaf to rival FIFA.

Nevertheless, Čeferin has ruled himself out of the FIFA presidency, stating he is “not interested” in the position, yet he intends to do everything in his power to ensure Infantino does not hold the office for another term.

infantino up close — Gianni Infantino appears unlikely to retain his position at the top. | Jaime SALDARRIAGA/AFP/Getty Images

Infantino was forced to drop his ill-judged World Cup investment proposal, worth $20 billion, just three days after it was leaked by the media amid intense backlash from much of the sporting world, amid claims that soccer should never be “for sale.”

“I’m always fascinated by the power of football,” Čeferin said. “You can do anything to people, but don’t take football away from them ... Now, you see again the unbelievable power of football.”

“The most important thing is that we stopped another try to sell the sport,” he added. “It’s hard to imagine what kind of people would sell the sport that belongs to everyone.”

Potential Candidates to Challenge Gianni Infantino

Victor Montagliani is among the candidate’s to replace Infantino. | Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images

The president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, was also mooted as a potential replacement for Infantino; however, he is likewise “not interested” in the position, according to Čeferin.

No one has outspokenly challenged Infantino as of yet. The Swiss lawyer was originally expected to run unopposed next year. Nevertheless, Čeferin is not worried, having faith that a worthy candidate will emerge.

“It’s really too soon. The date [nomination deadline] is November 18,” he said. “Let’s see what happens until then.”

A key potential successor is Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, who recently penned a letter to Infantino encouraging him not to attend an under-14 youth tournament in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, stating it would “undermine” the event. Infantino arrived anyways. Another candidate is the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness.

More Dissent, One Vote of Approval

Eto’o face up close — Samuel Eto’o is now the president of the Cameroonian Football Association. | VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Gibraltar became the latest nation to withdraw its support of Infantino’s candidacy for the 2027 FIFA presidential election, writing in an official statement on Monday:.

“The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, and the serious questions that have arisen concerning the transparency, consultation and decision-making surrounding a proposal of such significance to world football, have materially changed our assessment.

“Our concerns were further heightened by the circumstances of Mr Kevin Lamour’s departure from FIFA and by what those circumstances suggest about the ability of senior officials to question decisions and raise legitimate concerns.”

Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, was fired by soccer’s governing body on Aug. 17, a decision that came just weeks after he issued a public statement of defiance regarding FIFA’s recent antics.

“Gibraltar is one of world football’s smaller Member Associations,” the statement continued. “We do not have the financial or political influence of football’s largest nations. Our protection lies in strong institutions, clear rules, transparency, consultation and collective decision-making. Small associations are sometimes expected to stay quiet on questions of this kind. We do not think that would be right here.”

Meanwhile, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation and former legend of the game, Samuel Eto’o, took the opposite stance and voiced his unwavering support of Infantino on Monday.

“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong."

In an exclusive interview with @AmandaDCNN, President of the Cameroonian Football Federation and famed former player @SamuelEtoo shares his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. pic.twitter.com/xwzRt76RvR
— CNN International PR (@cnnipr) August 24, 2026

“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong. I think the timing of all of that is because there’s an election coming out, when Gianni Infantino is standing. That’s all there is,” he told CNN News.

He actually hopes the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal is resurfaced, should Infantino win re-election: “I want to see all of my colleagues, all of the presidents, re-reading the project. After President Infantino is re-elected, we will have the strength to ask for this project to be put back on the table for discussion. If there is a democratic vote, this project will be adopted because it’s good for the majority.”

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