Why UEFA’s preferred candidate for FIFA President to replace Gianni Infantino won’t run
UEFA was reportedly eyeing Qatar’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi to be their preferred potential replacement for Gianni Infantino as FIFA President, but it likely won’t happen. The house Infantino built at FIFA appears to be crumbling after his failed attempt at selling private stakes in the FIFA World Cup led to condemnation from multiple major confederations, mainly UEFA.
UEFA had Qatar’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the PSG President and chairman of beIN Media Group, in its sights as a potential candidate to replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA President. However, this plan appears to be on hold due to various factors. Infantino's failed attempt at selling private stakes in the FIFA World Cup has faced strong criticism from multiple major confederations, mainly UEFA.
Additionally, UEFA's plans to challenge Infantino for the FIFA Presidency seem to have been abandoned. The Qatar FA's endorsement of Infantino further diminishes UEFA's preferred candidate. Despite various national football associations voicing their discontent towards Infantino, and his top aides resigning, the Qatar FA remains on Infantino's side, welcoming his decision to withdraw from privatization plans.
While Al-Khelaifi holds significant positions in Qatar, his support for Infantino essentially eliminates him as a contender to challenge Infantino. If UEFA manages to remove Infantino from power through a no-confidence motion before the March 2027 elections, Al-Khelaifi might step into the power vacuum; however, it is unlikely he would contest the FIFA election and play a role in Infantino's removal from the FIFA Presidency.
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