LAGOS, Nigeria — UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated on August 24, 2026, that FIFA President Gianni Infantino must resign or face a leadership challenge in the upcoming governing body elections. Golden Info reports that Aleksander Ceferin ruled out running to replace him.
Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast on Monday, the 58-year-old Slovenian official detailed why he will not enter the race for the top post in world football. Ceferin said, “I’m not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit. And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”
Pressure on Infantino increased following an abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. UEFA subsequently threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions, alongside several continental and national federations withdrawing support for the 56-year-old administrator, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016.
Ceferin noted that Infantino will either recognize a lack of support across the football community or face a candidate during the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are viewed as prospective candidates. Ceferin said, “There are two options. One option is that he (Infantino) realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches. And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”
Infantino visited the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional officials, despite Montagliani asking him to abstain from attending a youth tournament in the region. In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, Infantino acknowledged the surrounding discussions, stating, “It’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions.”
In the same video statement released on Sunday, Infantino said, “A lot has been happening the last few weeks and it’s important that you hear, you listen, and you’re able to also express what your feelings are. So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.