FIFA receives formal eligibility challenge
Fédération Internationale de Football Association, known as FIFA, received a formal eligibility challenge concerning President Gianni Infantino on August 13, 2026. FairSquare asked FIFA’s governance committee to rule him ineligible.
FairSquare argues that Infantino is serving his third and final presidential term. The group says counting his 2016 to 2019 service would make another candidacy conflict with FIFA’s term limit.
FIFA term limit drives the dispute
FIFA statutes limit the president to a maximum of three terms, creating the central issue behind FairSquare’s challenge. Gianni Infantino first became FIFA president in February 2016 after winning the presidential election in Zurich, Switzerland.
FairSquare argues that FIFA’s rules do not allow Infantino’s 2016–2019 period to be excluded from term calculations. The organization says that period should count as his first presidential term.
Gianni Infantino’s election timeline
Gianni Infantino won FIFA’s 2016 presidential election after receiving 115 votes in the second round of voting. The Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich elected him FIFA president on February 26, 2016.
FIFA reelected Infantino by acclamation in Paris on June 5, 2019, after he was the only candidate. He received another four-year mandate by acclamation during the FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 16, 2023.
FIFA excluded the first three years
FIFA’s Council adopted an interpretation in December 2022 that Infantino’s 2016–2019 period would not count as a full presidential term because he completed the remainder of Sepp Blatter’s interrupted mandate.
Under that interpretation, FIFA counted Infantino’s 2019–2023 mandate as his first full term and his 2023–2027 mandate as his second term.
FairSquare contests FIFA’s interpretation
FairSquare challenges the legal basis for FIFA’s 2022 interpretation. The organization argues that FIFA statutes and governance regulations do not allow a shortened term to be disregarded for eligibility purposes.
The complaint questions the transparency around the 2022 decision because the supporting analysis was not publicly released. Former FIFA governance official Miguel Maduro has backed FairSquare’s argument about the disputed term calculation.
FIFA election is set for March 2027
FIFA has scheduled its presidential election for March 18, 2027, during the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. Gianni Infantino has announced his intention to seek another presidential term.
The election will determine who receives the next four-year presidential mandate. FairSquare’s request focuses on Infantino’s eligibility before the vote rather than challenging the election outcome.
FIFA dropped its $4.2 billion plan
Infantino’s reelection challenge follows a separate dispute over FIFA Forward Enterprise. FIFA considered creating a commercial entity valued at around $20 billion and selling a minority stake to outside investors.
The proposal could have raised approximately $4.2 billion through a 20% investment stake linked to FIFA’s commercial rights. FIFA withdrew the proposal on July 31 after opposition from football organizations and stakeholders.
UEFA, AFC and Concacaf increase pressure
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf increased pressure on Infantino in August 2026 after criticizing FIFA’s handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The three confederations called for stronger governance measures and greater transparency. Their concerns were separate from FairSquare’s request that FIFA review Infantino’s eligibility for another presidential term.
Gianni Infantino still has support
Support for Infantino remains across FIFA’s membership. Several influential African football administrators backed his leadership in early August, while associations from Morocco, Qatar, and other countries also expressed continued support.
FIFA has 211 member associations, and each association holds one vote in presidential elections. That structure means support across regions can shape the final result when major confederations oppose him.
AFC leader rejects Qatar’s objection
The Qatar Football Association challenged the Asian Football Confederation’s involvement in a joint letter criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Association President Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani said Qatar was not consulted before the statement was issued.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa defended his actions, saying he acted within his responsibilities as AFC president.
Fun fact: Gianni Infantino’s full name is Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, and FIFA says the Swiss-raised lawyer speaks seven languages fluently.
FIFA loses senior officials amid dispute
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour left the organization on August 17 after criticizing the abandoned proposal. Lamour said FIFA staff had been deceived and called it one person’s project.
Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned on July 31 in protest against the proposal, calling it a bad deal for football. Both officials held senior roles before opposing the commercial structure.
FairSquare has challenged Infantino before
FairSquare’s latest action follows earlier complaints involving Gianni Infantino’s leadership and governance issues. In July 2026, the International Olympic Committee rejected a FairSquare complaint because the matter was outside the jurisdiction of its ethics commission.
The IOC decision did not address FIFA’s presidential term-limit dispute. FairSquare’s August request focuses on whether Infantino is eligible to seek another FIFA presidential term under the organization’s rules.
FIFA’s commercial plans have already raised wider governance questions, but another issue is emerging around women’s soccer. Dive into why critics say the backlash exposed a major omission in FIFA’s proposal.
FIFA faces a decision before Rabat vote
Gianni Infantino remains eligible to seek another term in the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, while FairSquare has asked FIFA to rule him ineligible. FIFA’s 2022 interpretation excludes Infantino’s initial 2016–2019 period from counting toward the presidential term limit.
Before the Rabat Congress, FIFA’s governing bodies will need to address the eligibility challenge. The decision could determine whether Infantino appears on the ballot for a potential term running through 2031.
Gianni Infantino’s future at FIFA increasingly depends on support from member associations. Which countries are backing him, and which have joined the opposition? Dive into the growing divide shaping the 2027 presidential race.
Should FIFA count Gianni Infantino’s 2016 to 2019 service toward its three-term presidential limit, or is the current interpretation reasonable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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