Infantino’s Endgame: Who Will Steer FIFA if He Steps Down?

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:58:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

With FIFA president Gianni Infantino facing potential departure after controversy and a looming boycott, who could step in to steer global football?

Gianni Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president has been tested by backlash over a collapsed investment plan and a threatened boycott from UEFA, Concacaf and AFC. While some see his resignation imminent, insiders say he still has enough backing to survive a re‑election. A key question is who will replace the Swiss‑born president: contenders include Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani, AFC’s Sheikh Salman Al‑Khalifa and PSG magnate Nasser Al‑Khelaifi, each bringing different strengths and politics to the table. The decision will be made at FIFA’s upcoming Congress, where nominations close next November.

Infantino’s Endgame: Who Will Steer FIFA if He Steps Down?

Life moves fast for Fifa president Gianni Infantino. In July he was seen flying across the United States in a private jet, then handing a trophy to Spain’s championship team with US president Donald Trump. Less than two weeks later the Swiss‑born chief is mired in controversy after scrapping a high‑stakes investment plan that fans and leaders condemned.

The fallout has spanned three confederations: UEFA, Concacaf and AFC have each publicly expressed discontent with how FIFA is run under Infantino. UEFA’s statement highlighted “fundamental weaknesses in FIFA's consultation and decision‑making processes”, while Concacaf’s delegation signalled a drift in trust and the AFC endorsed criticism of the president’s approach.

In the meantime, Infantino’s special advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, has resigned and Fifa’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the administration was “deceived” about the investment scheme. The ever‑present threat of a boycott has sapped confidence from national associations across continents.

Still, a straightforward exit is unlikely. Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein told BBC Sport that “if he backs down due to this magnitude, he would probably be shown the door”, but suggested that Fifa’s unique structure may let him stay if the national associations keep supporting him. Former vice‑president Jim Boyce added that Infantino still has enough backing to be re‑elected, though the pace of discontent could change the endgame.

Who could replace Infantino? The field includes three highly visible figures:\

Victor Montagliani – Concacaf president who has championed governance reforms and managed the 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted by three countries. He is known for his diplomatic reach across 41 nations.

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa – AFC president, unopposed for his fourth term, who oversaw significant league expansions and the 24‑team Asian Cup.

Nasser Al‑Khelaifi – PSG president and chair of the European Football Clubs (EFC). While a strong candidate owing to his influence across a network of 800 clubs, sources say he does not want the role.

Another potential contender is Mattias Grafström, Fifa’s secretary general who has deep ties to Infantino. Nevertheless, a shift away from European dominance may be politically preferable.

The outcome will be decided at FIFA’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March, where candidates must submit their names by 18 November. Until then, the world watches to see whether Infantino’s legacy will survive or give way to a new era of governance.