As Gianni Infantino remains under fire, who could replace him as FIFA president?

As FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure and potential opposition, several candidates could potentially replace him as head of the organization. One contender is Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Conference (AFC). Al Khalifa, a senior vice president on the FIFA Council, has been critical of FIFA's decision-making processes and the proposed 64-team World Cup, which he opposes. He has also been a strong advocate for the growth of women's football in the region.

Another potential replacement is Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf. Montagliani, a former president of the Canadian Soccer Association, played a significant role in securing Canada's hosting of the 2026 World Cup and the 2015 Women's World Cup. He is also one of eight vice presidents on the FIFA Council and has shown interest in running for the FIFA presidency.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, a vocal critic of Infantino, is another possible candidate. Čeferin, who has been head of UEFA since 2016, has expressed willingness to seek re-election if no other candidates emerge. However, if the FIFA presidency becomes a more attractive option, Čeferin may reconsider his stance.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and the European Clubs Association, is currently not interested in replacing Infantino. However, his influence within European football could impact the choice for the FIFA presidency.

Lastly, Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Association and a former player, has garnered support from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has called for a woman to lead FIFA. Klaveness's candidacy could also be influenced by her strong stance on FIFA's decision-making processes and her advocacy for women's football.