Gianni Infantino’s prospects of securing a fourth term as FIFA president have been lifted after Victor Montagliani, the 61‑year‑old Canadian who heads Concacaf, confirmed he will not contest the role. Montagliani, who had been eyed as a potential challenger following Infantino’s controversial attempt to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, has now told colleagues he will pursue a final term as head of the North and Central American and Caribbean confederation.
Montagliani’s decision means he will not stand against Infantino, who has already declared his intention to run in the March presidential election. The move removes a key rival for the Swiss‑born president, who is 56 and looking to extend his tenure amid growing pressure from UEFA and other national associations to reform world football governance.
Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also announced he will seek a fourth term. Ceferin, 58, confirmed his decision at a meeting of the 55 national association chiefs in Berlin, saying he would not challenge Infantino directly but would work to unite the sport behind a new candidate. Ceferin’s announcement follows UEFA’s publication of a 14‑point reform plan aimed at reshaping FIFA’s structure and curbing presidential influence.
With both Concacaf and UEFA leaders opting to stay in their current roles, the only remaining challenge for Infantino is to secure the support of the 211 FIFA member associations. No other confirmed candidate has emerged, and the deadline for nominating a challenger remains November 18.
As the March election approaches, FIFA’s leadership landscape looks clearer, but the call for a respected, unifying figure who can steer the sport through reform remains a key issue for national associations worldwide.
