Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA President unopposed
Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the president of the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) for a third term.
The Swiss lawyer was the only candidate in the election and was unanimously confirmed at FIFA’s 73rd summit held in Kigali, Rwanda, on Thursday.
Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 and his re-election means he will continue to hold the position until 2027.
During his speech, Infantino acknowledged the challenges facing football in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he also highlighted the positive aspects of the sport. He thanked FIFA’s member associations for their support and expressed his commitment to the role.
“Being FIFA president is a big honour and privilege but also a huge responsibility. You can continue to trust on my commitment,” he said.
Infantino’s tenure as FIFA President has been marked by significant changes, including the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, starting in 2026. He has also been involved in efforts to improve transparency and accountability in FIFA’s operations, following the corruption scandal that engulfed the organization in 2015.
However, Infantino’s leadership has been criticized by some European countries, including Germany, Norway, and Sweden, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with his presidency.
Infantino will now begin his third term as FIFA President, with the possibility of seeking another term in 2027, until 2031, according to FIFA’s statutes.