The suspension of Falorin Balogun’s suspension and the possible influence of Donald Trump have cost Gianni Infantino capital in terms of sports politics – but there is no presidential twilight in sight.
Infantino received his first major bill in sports politics for his closeness to Donald Trump. Given the possible influence of US President Donald Trump on the decisions of sports courts, Infantino allowed the principles of sports to be questioned. Even if misconduct is not proven, doubts remain and are unlikely to be reliably dispelled. Criticism, which has become rare, now comes from organized football itself. UEFA called the decision “unprecedented, incredible and unjustified” – a frontal attack.
This is a new situation. So far, countless controversies over exorbitant ticket prices, imaginary peace prizes for Donald Trump or possible violations of the duty of political neutrality have had little impact on Infantino. Does the suspended suspension case now have consequences for him? The contradiction on the European side is evident, but the rest of the world benefits from or needs Infantino.
There is a new candidate – no competition yet
On April 30, Infantino announced at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver that he would run for re-election from 2027 to 2031. “I am honored to announce that I am running again,” he told delegates. Infantino shows no signs of official fatigue. Before the announcement, he said: “Get ready – there’s more to come.”
At that time it was already clear: he had long secured a majority among the 211 national associations. The confederations of South America (10 votes), Africa (54 votes) and Asia (46 votes) have already announced that they will support Infantino for re-election. If all national associations felt bound by this voting behavior, this would already be a majority with 120 out of 211 possible votes.
| continent | Vote |
|---|---|
Europe | 55 |
Africa | 54 |
Asia | 46 |
North America | 35 |
Oceania | 11 |
South America | 10 |
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in Vancouver that German voting behavior was still being discussed in DFB committees and that no decision had yet been made.
As things stand now, this will end in 2031 at the latest.
Infantino came to power in 2016 after a major scandal at FIFA. The statute currently provides for a maximum of three terms of office. However, in 2022, the FIFA Council confirmed that the term of office from 2016 to 2019 was incomplete and was therefore not taken into account when determining the term of office. If term limits are still in effect, Infantino will complete his official third term in 2031.
In 2019 and 2023, there were no opposing candidates in the respective re-elections – Infantino was always re-elected by acclamation, applause. A similar procedure will take place in Rabat/Morocco on March 18, 2027, if there is no opposition candidate. Anyone who wants to stand must register it with FIFA by November 18, 2026. But who will run if there is already a majority?
Who could be considered as an opposition candidate?
Beyond the question of how damaging the Balogun case was to Infantino, it remains unclear who might actually have played a role in the counter-candidacy.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi from Qatar – one of the most influential sports officials in history. The president of Paris Saint-Germain heads the club’s association EFC (formerly ECA) and is considered by many to be something of a “real UEFA president”. Al-Khelaifi and Infantino are doing quite harmoniously: he worked closely with Infantino on the commercial operation of the Club World Cup. Infantino defended Qatar from all criticism; Qatari state-owned companies continue to sponsor FIFA.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) with EFC Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Victor Montagliani from Canada is the head of the North American Confederation CONCACAF. Like Infantino, he came to power there in 2016 as a result of the FIFA scandal. He is now FIFA vice-president and an influential official. He is unlikely to run for president in 2027. Of Infantino’s successor in 2031, he said in the Guardian: “The future will be the future, whatever it brings.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani
Alexander Ceferin from Slovenia is still UEFA President and, thanks to a change in the statutes, is also expected to have another term in office between 2027 and 2031, but has not yet confirmed his candidacy. After numerous disagreements, Čeferin does not have the best relationship with Infantino – but a clear majority in FIFA can still oppose leaving UEFA.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin
All of them could be considered for this position, but probably not until 2031.
Principle: Anyone who gives away money can count on approval.
Money keeps Infantino in power. World Cup revenue is expected to be up to $14 billion, Infantino said at a pre-tournament press conference. This income is an instrument of Infantino’s power.
Infantino supplies all 211 national associations with money through World Cup prize money and payments from FIFA’s development program. The smallest associations are entirely dependent on payments and at the same time have the same voting rights as associations in France, Argentina or Germany. As long as that money comes in, Infantino is guaranteed votes. Infantino recently rejected criticism of this dependency structure and asked where else the money should go.
He also expanded his powers through charter changes that reversed major FIFA reforms introduced in 2016 and secured the 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia, a country that, along with the United States, is its most important business partner.
Infantino is unlikely to depend on European approval for re-election. But the eternal opposition to the Europeans remains a problem for Infantino. Because he promised a further increase in revenue over the four years leading up to the upcoming World Cup in 2030. To do this, he may have to once again clarify controversial issues: will the World Cup be expanded to 64 teams? Will the Club World Cup be expanded again? And is it possible to hold the Club World Championship every two years? Some of these questions may soon arise.