{
  "id": 35203,
  "title": "Officials who could challenge Infantino for the FIFA presidency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/officials-who-could-challenge-infantino-for-the-fifa-presidency",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T08:18:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/officials-could-challenge-infantino-fifa-081819670.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FIFA's Gianni Infantino, who has been leading the organization since 2016 and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, is facing opposition from various confederations. UEFA, the European football confederation, has expressed its loss of confidence in Infantino, while AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) have criticized his leadership. Despite the fact that no rival candidate has emerged so far, with the candidatures due by November 18, several individuals have been mentioned as potential challengers.\n\nAleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, has been described as someone who could challenge Infantino. A former karate fighter and Slovenian lawyer, Ceferin has been pushing for commercialization in European football. At the end of his tenure as UEFA president, he has suggested that \"fresh blood\" is needed in organizations. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of the European Football Clubs association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, is another possible challenger. Although he has not dismissed the idea of a World Cup every two years, he has not expressed interest in becoming FIFA president.\n\nMattias Grafström, a 45-year-old Swiss-Dutch administrator, is another potential candidate. He was appointed as FIFA's secretary general in 2024, following an interim period, and is a close confidant of Infantino. However, media reports suggest that Grafström sees an opportunity to claim the top position in world football. Victor Montagliani, a 60-year-old Canadian, is another contender. He has led CONCACAF since 2016 and has been a close associate of coaching legend Carlo Ancelotti. Montagliani has expressed his interest in advancement after CONCACAF unanimously rejected Infantino's investor plans. Lastly, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, has previously challenged Infantino in 2016 and narrowly lost the election. Although he faced allegations of corruption and human rights violations, he could potentially challenge Infantino again.",
  "summary": "FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to run for another term in March's FIFA congress have been met with criticism from UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, who have expressed their loss of confidence in him. Despite support from a majority of FIFA members, the mounting pressure may pave the way for a potential challenger. Several individuals are being considered as possible candidates, including UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who has experience in karate and is known for his commercialization push; Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of the European Football Clubs association; Mattias Grafström, the newly appointed FIFA secretary general; and Victor Montagliani, the president of CONCACAF. All candidates must submit their candidatures by November 18, 2024.",
  "key_points": [
    "UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin could challenge Infantino.",
    "Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is another potential challenger.",
    "FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström sees an opportunity to become president."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/35203.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Today’s Papers: Alajbegovic arrives, Baresi tributes, Infantino no confidence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/todays-papers-alajbegovic-arrives-baresi-tributes-infantino-no",
        "published": "2026-08-02T08:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}