A familiar proverb suggests that one person’s misfortune often serves as another’s advantage. This dynamic has defined the history of FIFA leadership, most notably during the 2015 scandal involving then-president Joseph Sepp Blatter. After investigations into illicit payments involving Michel Platini, Blatter resigned. Issa Hayatou, the senior vice president, served as an interim leader until Gianni Infantino secured victory in the 2016 election, largely through the support of African nations.
Today, Infantino faces mounting pressure as his own regional base, UEFA, leads a campaign against him. Critics have pointed to his management of the World Cup and unauthorized plans to sell a significant portion of future tournament revenue to private investors. With the upcoming FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, the political landscape is shifting. Major voting blocs, including Europe and the North/Central American region, have signaled they may withdraw their backing.
Although Africa, South America, and Oceania remain potential supporters, the math suggests a difficult path for the incumbent. UEFA holds substantial sway due to its financial influence, and if other regions align against the president, his tenure may be in jeopardy. Potential successors, including Aleksander Čeferin, Lise Klaveness, and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, are already subjects of speculation as the global football community prepares for a pivotal transition.