By Daily Touch Insights Editorial Team
Editorial Team
View Journalist Profile

FOOTBALL & FIFA GOVERNANCE — Human rights organisation FairSquare has formally asked FIFA to prevent Gianni Infantino from standing for another term as president, arguing that his bid for a fourth term conflicts with the organisation's three-term presidential limit.

The challenge comes as Infantino prepares to seek re-election in 2027. If successful, he would remain FIFA president through the 2027–31 cycle. 

The dispute centres on whether Infantino's initial period in office, following the resignation of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2016, should count toward the statutory limit.

FairSquare Challenges Infantino's Eligibility

FairSquare has submitted a complaint to FIFA's Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee asking the organisation to rule Infantino ineligible for the next presidential election.

The organisation argues that Infantino has already served the maximum three terms permitted under FIFA's statutes and that allowing him to stand again would undermine the purpose of the term-limit rules.

The complaint has added another layer of uncertainty to an increasingly difficult period for Infantino's leadership.

The Dispute Goes Back to 2016

Infantino became FIFA president in 2016 after Blatter resigned during a period of major turmoil within world football's governing body.

He was subsequently elected to full terms in 2019 and 2023.

The controversy concerns the period between his initial election in 2016 and the 2019 election.

FIFA's Council determined in 2022 that those first years should not count toward the three-term limit because Infantino was completing the interrupted mandate of Blatter rather than serving a full presidential term.

Why the First Term Is at the Centre of the Dispute

FairSquare disputes FIFA's interpretation.

The organisation argues that the statutes establish a maximum number of presidential terms and do not create an exception based on whether the first period in office was shorter than a normal term.

Under that interpretation, Infantino's time in office from 2016 onward would count toward the limit, meaning his current term would be his third and final one.

FIFA's existing interpretation produces a different result, allowing him to seek another term.

Infantino Wants to Remain President Until 2031

Infantino is expected to seek another term at FIFA's presidential election in 2027.

A successful campaign would give him another four years in charge of world football's governing body.

The election is scheduled to take place at the FIFA Congress in Morocco on 18 March 2027.

Infantino is currently the only candidate publicly known to have announced an intention to run.

Pressure on Infantino Is Growing

The term-limit challenge arrives during a wider political dispute inside international football.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have all expressed serious concerns about Infantino's leadership following the controversy surrounding a proposed FIFA commercial investment structure.

Several national football associations have also withdrawn their support for his re-election campaign.

New Zealand, for example, recently withdrew its support, while the Scottish Football Association has said it will not vote for Infantino in the 2027 election.

Controversy Over FIFA's Commercial Rights Plan

Another major source of tension was Infantino's proposal to establish a FIFA commercial subsidiary that could involve private investment in the organisation's commercial rights.

The plan attracted strong criticism from several football authorities, which questioned its governance, transparency and the concentration of power within FIFA.

FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal after internal opposition increased.

The controversy nevertheless contributed to a broader debate over how FIFA is governed and how much authority should be concentrated in the presidency.

Support for Infantino Has Become Divided

Infantino continues to have important support within world football.

His backing remains particularly strong among the Confederation of African Football and South American football authorities, while several Arab football associations also continue to support him.

At the same time, opposition has grown among major confederations and national associations in Europe and elsewhere.

This means the 2027 election could become one of the most politically significant FIFA presidential contests in years.

Term Limits Are Designed to Prevent Concentration of Power

Presidential term limits exist to prevent political power from becoming permanently concentrated in one individual.

In international sports organisations, where presidents can influence finances, competitions, development programmes and relationships with national associations, the issue becomes particularly important.

Supporters of strict term limits argue that clear rules provide predictable leadership transitions and reduce the risk of institutional dependence on one person.

FIFA's Interpretation Could Set a Wider Precedent

The argument is therefore about more than Infantino's personal political future.

The interpretation of the term-limit provision could establish a precedent for how FIFA treats future leadership transitions.

If an incomplete or inherited mandate can be excluded from the calculation, future FIFA presidents could potentially rely on the same interpretation under similar circumstances.

That is why FairSquare argues that the issue should be examined carefully before the election.

The Complaint Does Not Automatically Stop the Election

FairSquare's request does not itself prevent Infantino from running.

The relevant FIFA bodies would need to consider the complaint and determine whether he satisfies the organisation's eligibility requirements.

Unless FIFA changes its existing interpretation, Infantino remains positioned to seek another term.

The dispute could therefore continue through FIFA's internal governance and electoral processes.

FIFA Faces a Broader Governance Test

The controversy comes at a time when FIFA is facing questions about transparency, accountability and the distribution of power.

FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier has argued that the organisation needs fundamental governance reforms rather than simply a debate about whether Infantino should remain president.

The argument reflects a broader concern that changing one individual may not be enough if the institutional structure itself remains unchanged.

The 2027 Election Could Become a Major Test

The outcome of the term-limit dispute could significantly affect the 2027 presidential election.

If Infantino is ruled eligible, opponents will have to challenge him through the electoral process.

If he is ruled ineligible, FIFA would enter a completely different political phase in which potential successors would compete to shape the organisation's future direction.

Either outcome could have major consequences for world football.

Our Perspective

The strongest issue here is not whether Infantino has been a successful or unsuccessful FIFA president.

The real question is whether FIFA's own rules are being applied consistently.

If the organisation has a three-term limit, the interpretation of what constitutes a term should be transparent, legally defensible and established independently of the political interests of the sitting president.

Term limits lose much of their value if the institution can reinterpret them whenever an incumbent approaches the maximum period in office.

Conclusion

FairSquare has asked FIFA to block Gianni Infantino from seeking a fourth presidential term, arguing that his time in office since 2016 means he has already reached the three-term limit contained in FIFA's statutes.

The dispute centres on FIFA's 2022 decision to exclude Infantino's initial period in office from the term-limit calculation because he was completing Blatter's interrupted mandate.

Infantino is expected to seek re-election in March 2027, but growing opposition from several football authorities has made his path to another term increasingly complicated.

The immediate question is whether FIFA will uphold its existing interpretation or reconsider the term-limit issue before the 2027 election. Whatever decision is made could have consequences far beyond Infantino's presidency, shaping the governance of world football for years to come.