Gianni Infantino has announced his candidacy for re-election as FIFA President in 2027. At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, he also tried to ensure calm regarding Iran.
“It is an honor to announce that I am running again”said Infantino at the end of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada. Infantino showed no trace of official fatigue. He said before the announcement: “Get ready – there’s more to come.” He has received a lot of support from the national associations in the past few days.
The confederations from South America (10 votes), Africa (54 votes) and Asia (46 votes) have already announced that they would support Infantino in a re-election. That would already be a majority at 110 out of 211. Infantino will probably be able to count on widespread approval from Europe if he runs for office, but he is no longer dependent on that. In 2019 and 2023 there were no opposing candidates – Infantino was re-elected by acclamation. A similar procedure will take place in Rabat/Morocco in 2027 if there is no opposing candidate.
Infantino came into office for the first time in 2016 after Sepp Blatter resigned as a result of the FIFA scandal at the time. The statutes currently provide for a maximum of three terms of office. In 2022, however, the FIFA Council confirmed that the term of office from 2016 to 2019 was incomplete and therefore does not count towards term limits. If a term limit is still in effect, this would end for Infantino in 2031 after his official third term in office.
The candidacy has him “not particularly surprised”said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in an interview with Sportschau. “We will of course discuss this candidacy in our committees with the DFL.” The application period has now begun, “Different candidates can still express their interest in the office until November 18th”says Neuendorf. Only then do you want to make a decision.
Infantino is campaigning for his re-election with a lot of money
Infantino used the congress at the beginning for a real campaign speech. He referred to the world association’s strong financial figures. Expected revenue for the period 2023 to 2026 is now $14 billion, Infantino said. Infantino made it clear several times that this money will largely go to the associations and their delegates and thus to those eligible to vote in the presidential election. This also applies to the income from the sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup; there was great criticism of the prices. According to Infantino, this income will also be used to provide the 211 associations with money. “FIFA’s money is your money”he said to the delegates.
The presentation of the budget for 2027 to 2030 also showed that money is the most important issue in a re-election. Another 14 billion US dollars are planned for this period, most of which will go to the associations, FIFA announced. Infantino indirectly confirmed his candidacy for 2027 by saying, with a view to the 14 billion: “Mark my words: we will be even better.”
Delegates listen to FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver
Iran is missing from the congress – Infantino tries to calm things down
When FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström initially read out the attendance list at the FIFA Congress, the only gap in the room became clear. “Islamic Republic of Iran – absent”read Grafström. Iran’s delegation did not come to the meeting of all 211 national associations. While Iran’s representatives alleged insults to officials upon entry, Canadian authorities said members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard would not be allowed into the country.
The obvious question: What does this mean for the World Cup? Infantino’s first words in his speech were intended to provide reassurance in this regard. “Iran will play and it will play in the USA”said the FIFA President. Iran’s World Cup schedule includes games against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Los Angeles and Seattle. The training camp will be in Tucson, Arizona.
“Absent” – the moment Iran is called upon to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver
