Victor Montagliani will seek a final term as president of Concacaf, removing himself as a potential challenger to Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president in March. The Canadian, 61, had been considered a possible rival after Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors sparked global opposition.
Montagliani never publicly confirmed an intention to contest Infantino but reportedly told colleagues he would remain at the helm of the confederation that governs North, Central America, and the Caribbean. This development clears a significant obstacle for Infantino, 56, who confirmed his re-election campaign following the collapse of his World Cup investment proposal amid widespread backlash.
The Guardian first reported Montagliani’s decision not to run against Infantino. It leaves UEFA’s effort to challenge the FIFA president to find a unifying candidate ahead of the 18 November deadline. Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president, confirmed he will seek a fourth term in his role but declined to stand for FIFA president himself.
Ceferin, 58, informed UEFA’s 55 national association chiefs of his decision during a meeting in Berlin. The Slovenian’s announcement reversed his earlier stance from February 2024, when he had stated he would not run again. His return to the race followed UEFA’s intensifying campaign against Infantino after the latter’s plan to privatize parts of the World Cup was abandoned.
“I want to thank the national associations for their trust,” Ceferin said. “We have faced extraordinary challenges over the past years, and we have faced them as one team. There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request. My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave UEFA ready for the next generation.”
Ceferin has committed to finding a candidate to run against Infantino in the FIFA presidential election but ruled out standing himself for the global role.
UEFA also published a 14-point plan aimed at reforming FIFA’s governance. The plan focuses on reducing the president’s direct powers, increasing transparency, and removing presidential or executive influence from ethics and disciplinary bodies. UEFA called for at least $10 million (£7.5 million) in additional funding for each of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
“Institutional reform will not, on its own, be enough,” UEFA said. “FIFA also needs new leadership: a respected and unifying figure, deeply rooted in football, with the vision and experience to lead, the ability to command confidence across regions and an unequivocal commitment to development, reform, integrity and independence.”
No confirmed FIFA presidential candidate has emerged to oppose Infantino. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has expressed an intention to stand but has yet to secure the five letters of support required to appear on the ballot.
UEFA’s opposition to Infantino remains firm, with all but one of its national associations—Azerbaijan—agreeing on a course of reform at the Berlin meeting.
The FIFA presidential election is set for March 2025. Montagliani’s decision to stay with Concacaf leaves Infantino’s path less contested, while UEFA seeks a candidate capable of uniting football’s fragmented landscape.
According to Joy Online.
