UEFA seeks challenger to Gianni Infantino ahead of FIFA election

On 17 September 2026 UEFA has stepped up efforts to find a credible challenger to Gianni Infantino ahead of the upcoming vote for the head of FIFA. The European governing body is said to be searching for a high-profile figure who could contest Infantino and press for changes in the way world football is run.

Vice-president Laura McAllister said UEFA remains committed to securing a candidate capable of defeating the current FIFA president and driving reform. "I don't think we overestimated the damage done to his authority. I have always known that things would not change overnight. It would be naive to expect otherwise," McAllister said after the Executive Committee meeting in Thessaloniki.

McAllister stressed that the search would not be limited to Europe and that the priority is finding someone with the capacity to carry out the reform programme. "This is not about installing a European at the head of FIFA. It's about a programme of change. First we need to define what good governance in world football looks like," she added.

What comes next

UEFA officials are discussing a strategic approach that combines a political campaign with a clear governance agenda. That means defining the standards and institutional changes they expect from any successor and then identifying candidates who can win broad international support.

The timeline is driven by Infantino's looming re-election, and UEFA appears focused on building consensus among member associations and partners before any formal candidacy is announced. The process could include outreach beyond Europe to secure the global backing necessary to change FIFA's leadership.

How quickly a challenger can be identified and mobilised will determine whether UEFA's initiative turns into an effective campaign or remains a preparatory exercise in governance reform.

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