Gianni Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, confirmed that he will seek a new mandate once his current four-year term concludes next year. FIFA is expected to organize its presidential elections for the 2027–2031 cycle during the 77th FIFA Congress, which will take place in 2027 on a date yet to be finalized.
The electoral process formally began during the 76th FIFA Congress held in Vancouver on Thursday. Speaking at the closing of the Congress, Infantino stated, “I want to confirm that I will be a candidate for the FIFA presidency next year,” according to The Athletic.
The 56-year-old administrator already appears to have substantial backing and could potentially stand unopposed. The African and Asian football confederations publicly declared their support for his candidacy, while South America’s governing body, CONMEBOL, had previously endorsed him. This brings the number of supporting continental organizations to three out of FIFA’s six confederations.
Infantino initially rose to the presidency following a special election triggered by the resignation of Sepp Blatter amid a corruption scandal. He completed the remainder of Blatter’s term from 2016 to 2019, with FIFA’s governing council later confirming that this period would not count toward the official three-term limit.