Gianni Infantino faces a challenge as European officials find a candidate to run against him for FIFA president.
Gianni Infantino has hit a bump in his bid to stay FIFA president, as European officials have picked their top candidate to challenge him. Infantino stirred up quite a controversy with plans to sell shares in FIFA’s commercial and events operations, including the World Cup.
After reports from trusted news sources, FIFA confirmed they want to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This new venture could be worth around £15 billion, with an American venture capital firm, Thrive Eternal—started by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law—leading the private investment.
Infantino says this move is about “democratising football worldwide” and promises FIFA’s 211 member associations up to £30.1 million if they agree to this plan before a new deadline. However, if they don’t sign up within 53 days, their funding could drop to £2 billion.
UEFA has voiced strong opposition to these plans and might even consider boycotting the World Cup if the changes go ahead. Now, it seems European football leaders see PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi as their best bet to replace Infantino as FIFA president.
Al-Khelaifi, who chairs Qatar Sports Investment and BeIN Media Group, also leads the European Club Association and holds key roles in UEFA and FIFA. According to Politico, many officials view him as a top contender to take over when Infantino’s current term ends in March 2027. Infantino has been FIFA president without opposition since 2016 and wants to stay until 2031.
But Al-Khelaifi could be a serious challenge, and talks have reportedly happened. One EU official told Politico, “the stars have aligned,” but also added, “whether he steps up is another thing.” However, on Wednesday evening, Al-Khelaifi’s representative told the media he has “no ambition, no intention, no interest” in the presidency.
In response to Infantino and FIFA’s controversial plans, the European Football Clubs (EFC), led by Al-Khelaifi, strongly criticized the sudden announcement and the lack of communication. Their statement said they were shocked to learn about this huge proposal through the media, without proper consultation.
The EFC, representing over 850 football clubs, stressed the importance of working together with FIFA, UEFA, national associations, leagues, players, and fans. They called for calm conversations and careful discussions, urging for better transparency and governance to protect football’s future. They believe only through cooperation can football thrive steadily and sustainably for years to come.