“Not Interested” – Ceferin Tells Infantino To Quit As FIFA Pressure Mounts
UEFA threatens FIFA boycott as European backing for Infantino collapses. Infantino under pressure as Ceferin predicts leadership challenge at FIFA congress.
Ceferin tells Infantino to resign, but rules out running for FIFA President...
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said he has “no interest” in succeeding Gianni Infantino, but warned the embattled FIFA president that he should resign or risk facing a challenge for leadership.
Infantino is facing growing calls to resign as head of world football’s governing body after dropping plans to bring in private investment for FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
UEFA, which runs European football, has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. Several continental and national federations have also pulled their support for Infantino.
But Ceferin ruled himself out of running to replace Infantino. The 58-year-old Slovenian told The Rest is Politics podcast on Monday: “I'm not interested because of two reasons.”
“One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point... it's time to also enjoy life a bit.
“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position.”
Ceferin has been outspoken in his criticism ever since Infantino announced controversial plans to seek private investment for a company to run FIFA tournaments.
Ceferin now thinks Infantino’s once unassailable position is in jeopardy. He predicts the Swiss will be forced to step down or face a leadership challenge if he runs again at the next FIFA Congress in Morocco in March.
Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, enjoyed widespread support from European nations when he took over from Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
But Ceferin, who said he has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy began, said the situation now is completely different.
“There are two options,” he said.
“One option is that he (Infantino) realises that he doesn't have the support, and that's not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.
“And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who.”
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC head Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa are seen as two of the leading contenders to challenge Infantino.
Infantino Shows Support Abroad Amid Turmoil
Infantino traveled to the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football leaders, even though Montagliani had reportedly urged him not to attend a youth tournament there.
🚨 UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has confirmed that he will NOT challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 24, 2026
(Source: @RestIsPolitics) pic.twitter.com/509phx3mxm
In remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, the 56-year-old seemed to address the controversy surrounding him.
“It's important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions,” he said.
“A lot has been happening the last few weeks and it's important that you hear, you listen, and you're able to also express what your feelings are.
“So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.”
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