FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will seek re-election in March 2027, according to the world governing body of football. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, faces ongoing scrutiny after proposing to sell shares in FIFA competitions to private investors, a plan that sparked significant backlash. The proposal, intended to boost revenue, led to strong criticism, with UEFA, the governing body of European football, threatening to boycott FIFA events, including the World Cup. FIFA announced in a press release that Infantino will stand for re-election, emphasizing that “nothing has changed.” This is the first time since the controversy over the proposed investment plan that FIFA has officially confirmed Infantino’s intent to run for a fourth term. In response to legal challenges surrounding the proposal, FIFA accused UEFA of launching a “smear campaign against it and its leadership.” Last week, UEFA filed legal documents in the United States, requesting evidence from FIFA and warning it might pursue criminal charges in Switzerland. UEFA has expressed confidence that a candidate can be found to oppose Infantino, though no formal challengers have been named yet. To stand against him, a candidate needs support from at least 106 of the 211 FIFA member associations. UEFA has abandoned efforts to push for a vote of no confidence, which would require a majority of 159 votes and is considered unlikely due to changes in FIFA’s statutes. Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, a FIFA vice-president and former ally of Infantino, is seen as a potential challenger. However, he has distanced himself from the abandoned investment plan. Infantino, who has not commented on his future since being approached by reporters at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland, faces pressure to resign from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf. However, FIFA has now confirmed his re-election bid, which would extend his leadership until 2031. While Infantino has support from countries like Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 men’s World Cup, and from African and South American football federations, he must secure a simple majority of votes from the 211 FIFA member associations to win. Candidate nominations for the 2027 election are due by 18 November.