Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA president

Gianni Infantino will remain FIFA president after winning re-election, confirming concerns that opposition to his leadership would not produce a credible alternative. The result keeps him at the head of world football despite criticism from several federations and confederations.

The election took place in Rabat, where Infantino had entered the contest as the only declared candidate. He has led FIFA since 2016, taking over after Michel Platini’s difficulties ended the former UEFA president’s bid to continue in charge of the organisation.

His campaign for another term unfolded against controversy surrounding a proposal to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. The plan was disclosed without his knowledge and placed him under renewed pressure, with UEFA among the most prominent voices opposed to his position. That dispute had raised the possibility of an attempt to remove him from office.

Instead, no rival capable of uniting the opposition emerged. The lack of a challenger meant that federations seeking change faced a choice between voting against Infantino and supporting an unknown candidate without an established programme. His re-election shows that the criticism did not translate into enough support to end his presidency.