UEFA seeks Infantino challenger as Čeferin announces fourth-term bid

European football leaders gathered in Berlin seeking a way to replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, Al Jazeera reported on October 7. The meeting brought the search for a challenger into focus ahead of the March election.

The summit itself had already been scheduled. The Hindu reported on October 8 that UEFA had called its 55 member federations together amid European efforts to find a new leader for football's world governing body.

On October 8, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin told the national association chiefs in Berlin that he would seek a fourth term, according to the BBC. That announcement concerned UEFA's presidency, not a bid to replace Infantino at FIFA.

The decision reversed what Čeferin had said in 2024, Adnkronos reported. La Repubblica reported that all the federations supported him and that the UEFA election would take place on April 22 in Astana.

UEFA also drew up the qualities required of a candidate to run against Infantino in March, Al Jazeera reported on October 8. The European effort was therefore moving toward defining a challenger, rather than announcing one.

That same day, African football president Patrice Motsepe declared the continent's unanimous support for Infantino's re-election bid at a CAF meeting, according to Arab News. DIE ZEIT reported that all 54 African football associations wanted to support him.

Meanwhile, Victor Montagliani told Concacaf staff that he intended to seek re-election as the confederation's president, Guardian Sport reported on October 8. The outlet said that choice would rule out a FIFA presidential run. On October 9, L'Équipe also reported that Montagliani was expected not to challenge Infantino.

Europe's effort to find an opponent has not translated into a confirmed challenger in the supplied coverage. ESPN FC, citing sources about Montagliani's plans to remain at Concacaf, described Infantino as facing a clear path to re-election. BBC Sport reported on October 9 that the chances of removing him appeared slim.

Čeferin's own election plans are more definite. He has announced his candidacy for another UEFA term, which Il Post described as his fourth and final one. His decision keeps UEFA's leadership contest separate from the still-unresolved search for a FIFA challenger.

The immediate issue is whether UEFA's candidate criteria produce someone willing to run against Infantino. L'Équipe puts FIFA's electoral congress on March 18, while its reporting still describes Montagliani's withdrawal from contention as expected rather than a completed candidacy decision.

UEFA's own presidential election follows on April 22 in Astana, according to La Repubblica. Čeferin has announced his intention to stand, but the vote remains ahead.