FIFA's Investment Plan Withdrawal and Its Aftermath
FIFA recently reversed its proposal to sell stakes in its prominent tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. While this decision ensures the integrity of these events, it has cast a shadow over the leadership of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The withdrawal came after widespread opposition to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) vehicle, a plan that aimed to attract private capital. The backlash was significant, amplified by the resignation of Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, and allegations from FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour that Infantino had misled employees regarding the plan. Crucially, UEFA, European football's governing body, has publicly stated a loss of confidence in Infantino, who was first elected in 2016 and re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023. With presidential elections scheduled for March, speculation is mounting that Infantino, who once seemed poised for another unchallenged term, may now face direct competition.
Leading Candidates for the FIFA Presidency
Nasser al-Khelaifi: A Prominent Figure from PSG
Nasser al-Khelaifi, the 52-year-old president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has quickly risen as a prominent name among potential successors to Infantino. A Qatari businessman and former professional tennis player, al-Khelaifi assumed the presidency of PSG in 2011. His influence extends beyond the club, as he also chairs the global broadcaster beIN Media Group and leads the European Football Clubs, an influential lobby group. Al-Khelaifi is a member of both the UEFA executive committee and the FIFA Council, positions that grant him significant sway within global football governance. Under his leadership, PSG secured its first UEFA Champions League title in 2025 and successfully defended it in 2026, showcasing his executive capabilities.
Victor Montagliani: CONCACAF's Leader with FIFA Experience
Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football), is considered a strong contender due to his current role as a FIFA vice president. Since 2016, Montagliani has headed CONCACAF, playing a pivotal role in the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Prior to his CONCACAF presidency, the 60-year-old led the Canada Football Association, where he initially proposed Canada's bid to host the 2026 World Cup, ultimately leading to the successful tripartite bid with the United States and Mexico. While CONCACAF's 41 member associations rejected FIFA's FFE proposal, they did not endorse UEFA's call for a boycott. However, rumors have circulated about Montagliani potentially challenging Infantino in response to the controversial proposals.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa: The Experienced AFC President
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA's senior vice president, has been one of the most vocal critics of Infantino's FFE plans. The Bahraini official publicly denounced the proposals as “totally unacceptable” in an open letter to the AFC's 47 member associations. The AFC subsequently released a statement affirming its solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, though it stopped short of announcing a boycott of FIFA events. Sheikh Salman previously challenged Infantino in the 2016 FIFA elections, where he was defeated. A member of Bahrain's royal family, the 60-year-old has held the AFC presidency since 2013, following his tenure as president of the Bahraini Football Association. The upcoming November 18 deadline for candidates to declare their intention to run for the March elections presents Sheikh Salman with another opportunity to vie for a position he narrowly missed a decade ago.
Aleksander Ceferin: UEFA's Influential President
As the leader of UEFA, the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful of FIFA's confederations, Aleksander Ceferin holds considerable influence over FIFA's 211 member states. The 58-year-old Slovenian lawyer has served as UEFA president since 2016, a role that automatically made him a FIFA vice president. UEFA was the primary opponent of FIFA's proposed investment plans, with its 55 member nations unanimously voting to boycott events organized by the global governing body. UEFA's official statement following the boycott vote was highly critical of the FFE plan, asserting that “No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.” The statement further described the move as “both irresponsible and indefensible,” arguing that it would compromise the “soul” of football. UEFA later announced it had “lost confidence” in Infantino, emphasizing that while the proposal was gone, the rebuilding of trust in FIFA was only beginning. Although Ceferin did not issue a personal statement, the collective stance of UEFA spoke volumes.
Patrice Motsepe: The CAF President as an Outside Candidate
Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), represents an outside possibility for a FIFA presidential challenge. The South African billionaire businessman, with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion, has led CAF only since 2021. During his tenure, the 64-year-old has initiated significant changes within African football, including transitioning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from a biennial competition to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition. However, CAF recently faced embarrassment surrounding the 2025 AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, which ended in controversy and is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While not solely attributable to Motsepe, the incident highlights ongoing administrative challenges within African football. Despite these issues, Motsepe's recent rise in continental football leadership positions him as a potential, albeit less likely, contender should the race for FIFA's top job intensify.
