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FIFA president Infantino laughs off resignation talk, touts global
support as he seeks reelection

   Reuters | Posted: October 24, 2026 1:17 PM | Last Updated:
   October 24

   Infantino is seeking a 4th term until 2031

   Image | 2293665625

   Caption: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is shown in this
   September 2026 file photo at an event in Poland. (Getty Images)
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   FIFA president ​Gianni Infantino laughed off questions about
   whether he had considered resigning in the wake of the failed
   FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, pointing to
   overwhelming support from member associations around the globe.
   Three months after facing calls to resign after he abandoned
   the ‌proposal that sought private investment in a new entity
   controlling commercial rights linked to major FIFA
   competitions, Infantino now finds himself in a position of
   strength.
   His prospects for reelection strengthened on Friday after the
   head of Asian football endorsed him for ​a fourth term, with
   Asian Football confederation (AFC) President Sheikh ​Salman bin
   Ibrahim Al Khalifa saying Asia was united behind Infantino.
   "I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the
   world. I think what is ​important is that in an organization
   like FIFA, there can be different views, ⁠different points of
   view," ⁠Infantino told the BBC as he laughed off ‌a question
   about whether he had considered stepping down.
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   "But if we are serious about democracy, about the democratic
   process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and
   the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to
   everyone ... then we ⁠need to respect as well the views of the
   vast, vast majority.
   "I'm just coming back off Tokyo where the Asian Football
   Confederation has fully endorsed me. I was in Cape Verde where
   all African ‌countries have endorsed me. I'm speaking to all
   associations everywhere in the world."
   The AFC had previously joined European body UEFA and CONCACAF,
   which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean,
   in criticizing the FFE proposal.
   But a divided CONCACAF and the AFC's U-turn ​have left Europe
   increasingly isolated while exposing the lack of a viable
   alternative candidate for the FIFA presidency.
   Infantino is seeking a ⁠fourth term until 2031 and potential
   candidates must submit their nominations by November 18.
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   He apologized at ⁠a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week
   over the way the FFE proposal was handled ⁠but ⁠that did not
   sway European football ​associations such as Germany and
   England.
   However, the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator added:
   "It's OK to disagree ... but then we ​need to be able to ⁠move
   on.
   "There are different points of view. It's not always easy to
   bring them all under one roof, but we need to respect and I do
   respect all opinions all views," Infantino added.
   "Then it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide
   who they want as a president and how ⁠they want FIFA to be
   ‌run."

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