FIFA leadership scramble intensifies as Infantino faces potential challengers

FIFA withdrew its initiative to involve private investors in the World Cup after widespread opposition, a move that triggered the departure of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and claims that COO Kevin Lamour deceived employees. UEFA’s loss of confidence in Gianni Infantino has turned what seemed a foregone-by-default race into a potentially competitive contest for the March presidential vote. Among the frontrunners are Paris Saint-Germain’s president Nasser al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman who also chairs beIN Media Group and the European Football Clubs lobby, and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, who helped secure the 2026 World Cup hosting deal. AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and CAF leader Patrice Motsepe have also been mentioned as possible challengers, reflecting a broadening dissent across football’s governing bodies.