Ceferin rules out FIFA bid as Infantino faces election challenge

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has said he will not enter the race against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino could encounter a challenger if he seeks re-election in March.

Ceferin rejects FIFA presidency bid

Speaking on The Rest is Politics: Leading, Ceferin said he intends to remain at UEFA rather than pursue the FIFA presidency. The 58-year-old Slovenian has previously been discussed as a possible challenger to Infantino but said he has no interest in taking that route.

Ceferin argued that staying at UEFA gives him greater credibility and allows him to continue working within the European governing body. “I love UEFA and I love working here,” he said, adding that he believes there comes a point when it is also important to step back and enjoy life.

Infantino could face rival in March

Ceferin said Infantino now faces a choice between leaving the FIFA presidency or entering the election with an opponent. He argued that the issue extends beyond support from football officials who cast votes, saying Infantino also needs backing from fans, players, former players and coaches.

“If he goes to the elections in March, I think he will have a candidate against him,” Ceferin said, while stressing that he did not yet know who that candidate would be.

Infantino has headed FIFA since 2016 and had been widely expected to secure another term without opposition at the election scheduled in Morocco next year. FIFA has set Nov. 18 as the deadline for potential candidates to enter the race.

UEFA chief attacks World Cup investment plan

Ceferin also criticized an abandoned FIFA proposal involving the sale of World Cup-related stakes to private equity investors. UEFA and other continental confederations opposed the idea, with UEFA even threatening to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan went ahead.

Calling the proposal “even worse than the Super League plan,” Ceferin said he was convinced the initiative had been stopped. “The most important thing is that we stopped another try to sell the sport,” he said.

Ceferin questions Infantino’s political ties

The UEFA president was also asked about Infantino’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump, which developed ahead of the recent World Cup. Ceferin cautioned against treating political relationships as permanent alliances.

“You are naive if you think that a politician like that, or any politician, is your good friend,” he said, arguing that political support can change when circumstances change.

Ceferin’s comments underline the widening debate over FIFA’s leadership, commercial strategy and relationship with political figures as the next presidential election approaches.