UEFA Chief Ceferin Rules Out FIFA Bid, Demands Infantino Step Down Before March Election

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has declared he will not seek to unseat FIFA President Gianni Infantino in upcoming elections, while simultaneously issuing an ultimatum that Infantino must either step down voluntarily or prepare to face a challenger when voting takes place in March. The warning comes as Infantino faces mounting scrutiny over his now-shelved proposal to privatize stakes in the World Cup, the sport’s premier competition.

Three continental soccer confederations have publicly accused Infantino of operating through “deception,” and UEFA itself has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in response to his leadership. Ceferin emphasized during an interview with the British podcast “The Rest is Politics: Leading” that Infantino lacks broad support from players, coaches, fans, and the football community at large, beyond his voting bloc.

In remarks set for broadcast Monday, Ceferin suggested two paths forward for the FIFA president: recognizing his diminished political standing and resigning, or proceeding to the March election where he would face opposition. Ceferin stopped short of identifying who might challenge Infantino, stating only that “I think he will have a candidate against him.”

Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and had appeared positioned for an unopposed reelection in Morocco before the recent backlash. FIFA has established November 18 as the deadline for candidates to enter their nominations.

The 58-year-old Ceferin dismissed speculation about his own candidacy, citing his deep commitment to UEFA and a desire to balance professional responsibilities with personal time. He also contended that declining to run enhances rather than diminishes his credibility in weighing in on FIFA’s direction.