For anyone who has followed the global politics of football over the decades, the corridors of FIFA have always been as dramatic as a World Cup final. The ultimate seat of power in world football is up for grabs again, with the next FIFA presidential election set for November 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.

Current President Gianni Infantino made his intentions very clear earlier this year: he wants a third term at the helm, and ideally, he wants to run completely unopposed. For a while, it seemed like he would get his wish. But in football, the tide can turn very quickly.

According to recent reports, frustrations over FIFA’s recent disciplinary decisions and the continuous expansion of global tournaments have left several UEFA members actively looking for a candidate to stand against Infantino.
With nominations open until November 18, who could actually step into the ring and challenge the current president? Lets break down the names currently doing the rounds in the European press.

The Heavyweights: UEFA’s Preferred Choices

1. Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA President)

If you are looking for a heavyweight to go toe-to-toe with Infantino, Ceferin is the most obvious choice. The Slovenian lawyer has clashed with Infantino in the past over the direction of the global game. He is widely expected to focus on securing another term as UEFA President next spring instead of entering the gruelling, highly political FIFA race.

2. Nasser Al-Khelaifi (PSG President)

The Paris Saint-Germain president and chairman of the European Club Association has massive influence in the game. Reports suggest that several UEFA federations, notably Belgium and Poland, are prepared to throw their weight behind Al-Khelaifi if he decides to stand. The catch? He currently has no ambition to run for the FIFA presidency and would require some serious convincing to change his mind.

3. Dariusz Mioduski (Legia Warsaw Owner)

With Ceferin and Al-Khelaifi hesitant, European officials are looking at alternative figures. Reports revealed that senior football officials from Germany, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been holding discussions about backing Legia Warsaw owner Dariusz Mioduski. While not as globally recognizable as the other two, he could emerge as the consensus European candidate if UEFA decides it absolutely must field a challenger to make a political statement.

The Rest of the World: Biding Their Time?

Outside of Europe, it becomes much harder to find someone willing to challenge the present President. Infantino has built a strong base of support by expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, and floating ideas for 64 teams in the future, guaranteeing more spots and revenue for smaller federations.

Patrice Motsepe (CAF President): The head of African football is considered a close ally of Infantino. Rather than fighting a costly battle in 2026, Motsepe is reportedly targeting a presidential bid in 2031, when Infantino will no longer be eligible to run.

Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF President): While the Canadian’s name has been floated in executive circles as a future leader, neither he nor anyone else from the Americas is expected to throw their hat into the ring this time around.

As it stands, Gianni Infantino remains the overwhelming favourite to secure a third term. While the European federations are openly discussing a rebellion, defeating the current FIFA President requires massive global support from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, something a single European candidate will struggle to pull together on short notice. Whether a challenger officially steps up or not, Infantino will know that his next term will not be a walk in the park.