Ceferin rules out FIFA election bid as Nordic nations withdraw backing for Infantino

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin will not stand against Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election on 18 March 2027, despite growing opposition to the incumbent from football associations across several regions.

Ceferin, 58, said he had no interest in pursuing the FIFA presidency and expected another candidate to emerge. The election for the 2027-2031 term will take place at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.

“The FIFA presidency does not interest me,” the Slovenian said on the podcast The Rest is Politics: Leading.

“I like UEFA and the work I do there. I think that at some point, it is time to enjoy life a little.”

Ceferin became UEFA president in 2016, succeeding Michel Platini. He has now made clear that he will not challenge Infantino, although it remains unknown whether UEFA will support or put forward another candidate for the election.

Infantino is seeking re-election for a further four-year term, but support for the Swiss official has gradually weakened. His plans for the World Cup, which attracted considerable criticism before eventually being cancelled, have contributed to that decline, particularly in Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

The Nordic football associations have now publicly withdrawn their backing for Infantino. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands made the announcement after a meeting in Helsinki, saying they no longer had confidence in the current FIFA president.

“The Nordic football associations are concerned about governance and decision-making processes within the organisation at the highest level and stand alongside UEFA,” they said in a joint statement.

UEFA had already withdrawn its confidence in Infantino in a declaration issued jointly with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

The decision by the Nordic associations adds to the pressure on Infantino ahead of the election, although no rival candidate has yet been identified in the source material. Ceferin’s decision means the UEFA president will not be the person attempting to prevent Infantino from securing another term.

Infantino hopes to be re-elected on 18 March 2027, when FIFA’s 77th Congress is held in Rabat. The vote will determine the organisation’s president for the 2027-2031 period.