FIFA: Nasser al-Khelaïfi ready to challenge Gianni Infantino in 2027?

Weakened by several controversies during this World Cup, Gianni Infantino could see Nasser al-Khelaïfi step up as a contender for the FIFA presidency in 2027.

The 2026 World Cup has done little to spare Gianni Infantino’s reputation. From the expulsion of a Somali referee before the tournament even began, to Iran’s training base being urgently relocated to Mexico, and the uproar surrounding the lifted suspension of Folarin Balogun, the Swiss president is facing mounting criticism.

Also read: 2026 World Cup: Good news for England, bad news for Argentina

Still, that hasn’t stopped him from eyeing a fourth term, bolstered by strong support from Africa and Asia. However, according to talkSPORT, Europe is quietly moving behind the scenes in an effort to unseat him. Aleksander Ceferin, disinclined to pursue the FIFA presidency, is reportedly more interested in another UEFA mandate, leaving the door open for Nasser al-Khelaïfi as the main challenger.

For now, the PSG boss will still need convincing before considering a run, as this isn’t currently a top priority on his agenda.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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