By Erestinah Jane | July 7, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially announced that he will seek re-election in 2027, setting the stage for a bid that could extend his leadership of world football through 2031.
Speaking during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Infantino confirmed his intention to contest the next presidential election before delegates representing FIFA’s 211 Member Associations.
“I want to tell you first – the 211 (FIFA) Member Associations – that I will be (a) candidate for the election of FIFA President next year,” Infantino said.
The announcement comes after nearly a decade at the helm of football’s global governing body, having first assumed office in 2016 following the departure of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. During his address, Infantino thanked member associations for their continued support and credited them with the progress made under his administration.
“Thank you for your support over the last 10 years, your support today, your work, your progress, your love for the game, your commitment, and your passion,” he told delegates.
If re-elected, Infantino would continue overseeing FIFA during a period expected to feature major developments in international football, including the expansion of global competitions, investment in football development programmes and the continued commercialization of the sport.
Questions surrounding Infantino’s eligibility have previously centered on FIFA’s presidential term limits. FIFA statutes generally limit a president to three four-year terms, equivalent to 12 years in office. However, the organization’s Governance Committee determined that Infantino’s initial period in office between 2016 and 2019 would not count toward the limit because he completed the remainder of the term left vacant after Blatter’s exit.
That interpretation allows Infantino to seek another full term, potentially extending his presidency until 2031 if elected.
Infantino also appears to enter the race from a position of considerable political strength. He has secured formal backing from several influential continental football bodies, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and South America’s CONMEBOL.
Collectively, the three confederations represent 111 of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations, giving Infantino majority support on paper ahead of the election should those endorsements translate into votes. Their backing significantly strengthens his prospects of securing another mandate to lead the global governing body.
Since taking office in 2016, Infantino has overseen a series of reforms and major competitions, including the expansion of the FIFA World Cup and increased investment in football development initiatives across member associations. His leadership has also coincided with efforts to grow the commercial reach of the sport and broaden participation in FIFA competitions.
The 2027 FIFA presidential election is expected to determine the direction of the organization through the end of the decade, with delegates from all 211 Member Associations set to elect the next president. With strong continental backing already in place, Infantino enters the race as the clear frontrunner as he seeks another term at the helm of world football.
