FIFA President Gianni Infantino will seek re-election despite growing calls for him to step down as head of world football’s governing body.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure following a controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup, which sparked a fierce backlash.
FIFA confirmed Sunday that Infantino intends to run in next year’s presidential election for a final term that would keep him in office through 2031.
“The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Candidates have until Nov. 18 to enter the presidential race, exactly four months before the election.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, has led calls for Infantino to step down, saying it had lost confidence in him and previously threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
A number of national associations, including the English Football Association, have withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election.
On Saturday, Infantino refused to comment on his future when he arrived for the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” he told Sky News.
FIFA apologized for errors in its controversial plan to sell future World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary and committed to “ensure they do not happen again.”
But that has not been enough to ease the pressure on Infantino.
UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts over possible financial mismanagement related to his now-abandoned plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham added his weight to the debate last month, saying Infantino was not the right man to lead world football’s governing body.
