We in Sporten.com suggest as always Ole Gunnar Solskjær that why not FIFA president?. – He already has an expert role for the organization.
FIFA may soon need a new president. The pressure on Gianni Infantino is increasing sharply after plans to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors – but who can really take over?
Gianni Infantino could earn £1 million a week – if World Cup sales go through
Infantino, 56, is facing demands to resign. If he is not removed in the coming weeks or months, he is still only safe in the chair until next year. FIFA members can vote for another candidate in the 2027 elections – but the problem is that there is currently no challenger.
Infantino ran without opposing candidates in both 2019 and 2023, and he has already changed the rules so that he can run for a fourth term – which will last until 2031. After that, he could potentially take on a role as head of FIFA’s proposed subsidiary, with responsibility for making money from world football through large investors. A role that could earn him a staggering weekly salary of millions of pounds.
But nothing is guaranteed. FIFA’s greedy upheaval could come to a halt if all 55 Uefa countries agree to boycott future championships – including the Women’s and Youth World Cup.
Five names that could challenge Infantino
1. Aleksander Ceferin – Uefa President
Perhaps the most obvious name. Ceferin has been at odds with FIFA for several years and has spoken out against them in several high-profile cases – including Folarin Balogun’s overturned red card. He didn’t even bother to show up in the World Cup final, despite Spain being there.
Ceferin is said to be happy with his role – which he has held since 2016 – and is expected to sit out a third term until 2031. The Slovenian is described as willing to step forward if no one else does, but he is not eager to move unless absolutely necessary.
2. Nasser Al-Khelaifi – PSG president
Al-Khelaifi is one of the early favourites to challenge – and possibly beat – Infantino. He also manages the European Football Clubs (EFC) and was one of the main opponents of the European Super League in 2021.
But a representative of the Qatari has stated:
However, other reports suggest that he could still make a move.
3. Arsène Wenger – Former Arsenal manager
Wenger has been on FIFA’s side for several years and has occasionally made extreme suggestions for rule changes. He is officially the head of global football development and stays relatively quiet.
But with Wenger’s weight in the football world – and some support – he was able to rise up against Infantino from within.
4. Victor Montagliani – CONCACAF president
Montagliani was seen as a contender before the latest scandal. It has been claimed that the Canadian has had an interest in the role of president for some time – as Infantino’s popularity has waned ahead of and during the World Cup.
His term in North America and the Caribbean expires next year, and he is seeking a second term. But maybe he would rather go up and challenge Infantino directly.
5. Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa – AFC President
Like Uefa – and to a lesser extent CONCACAF – the Asian Football Confederation has also spoken out against selling the World Cup. Al Khalifa from Bahrain is a central figure with his fingers deep inside the FIFA system.
He is a senior vice president of the FIFA Council and has joined the Infantino group. Just like Montagliani, he has a confederation election next year to think about – in addition to the possible FIFA election.
One thing is certain: Infantino is not safe. And while Uefa prepares a possible challenger, football’s most powerful position may be facing a historic shift in power.
Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk gets to play again
