WHAT AP AND REUTERS REPORT
The Associated Press and Reuters reported that UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin ruled out standing for the FIFA presidency himself. He said Gianni Infantino should either step down or expect an opponent if he contests the election scheduled for March 2027.
THE OPEN CANDIDATE QUESTION
Čeferin said he did not yet know who that opponent would be. AP reported that FIFA has set 18 November 2026 as the nomination deadline for challengers.
Sources for this section1
REPORTED CONFIDENCE DISCUSSIONS
Reuters separately referred to reported discussions about a possible confidence challenge before the election. Those discussions remain reported; the sources used here do not establish a filed motion, a formal resolution or a completed vote.
Sources for this section2
WHAT THIS DOES NOT ESTABLISH
The reports confirm public opposition and Čeferin's own decision not to stand. They do not confirm an alternative candidate, a candidacy by Victor Montagliani, Mattias Grafström or anyone else, or the outcome of the 2027 election.
Source record
Sources
- UEFA president Ceferin says he won’t run against FIFA president but calls for Infantino to quitAssociated Press · 24 Aug 2026 · News report
- UEFA's Ceferin rules out running for FIFA presidency, Infantino makes pitch to poorer associationsReuters · 24 Aug 2026 · News report
External links were last checked on 24 August 2026. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of every claim or opinion in a source.