Infantino may exploit technicality to stay beyond FIFA's term limit

Gianni Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016 and won elections in 2019 and 2023, is reportedly pursuing a statutory interpretation that could let him exceed the federation’s three-term limit. The FIFA constitution caps presidents at three four-year terms, but Infantino contends that because he initially assumed the role after Sepp Blatter stepped down, only two of his terms count as elected. Acceptance of this reading would enable him to stay in power beyond the customary 12-year ceiling.

The move comes amid other contentious proposals, notably a private-investment scheme to create a partially owned subsidiary for running the World Cup, which has drawn sharp criticism and threats of a boycott from UEFA. Allegations of self-interest have already tarnished Infantino’s reputation, and the potential loophole could intensify calls for governance reform within global soccer.