Uefa chief Ceferin rules out Fifa presidency bid, warns Infantino faces challenge

LONDON, Aug 24 — Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin has expressed his disinterest in replacing Fifa president Gianni Infantino, yet cautioned that Infantino must either resign or confront a leadership challenge in the upcoming March elections. Infantino's reputation has been tarnished due to his plan to secure private investment for Fifa tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups.

Uefa, responsible for European football, has announced plans to boycott Fifa events, and several continental and national federations have also withdrawn their support for Infantino. However, Ceferin declined to enter the race for the Fifa presidency, citing his love for Uefa and the desire to enjoy life. The Slovenian, 58, argued that his credibility would suffer if he pursued the position.

Ceferin has been critical of Infantino since the controversial investment plan was revealed. Now, Ceferin anticipates that Infantino will either resign or face a challenge for the presidency when he seeks re-election at the next Fifa Congress in Morocco in March 2027. Infantino, a former Uefa secretary general, received broad support from European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as Fifa president in 2016.

However, Ceferin, who has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy began, emphasized the disparity between the current situation and the past. Ceferin outlined two options for Infantino: either acknowledge the lack of support, which includes political backing from the football community, fans, players, former players, coaches, and realize he cannot secure the presidency, or run in the March elections, in which case he would face a candidate.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are among the two most likely challengers to Infantino's position.