Everything You Need To Know About How FIFA Elects Its Most Powerful Leader

A turbulent stretch of months has left FIFA president Gianni Infantino teetering on the edge.

After presiding over a World Cup riddled with controversy, the 56-year-old added fuel to an already blazing fire by attempting to push forward plans to sell shares in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors. Predictably, his proposal was deeply unpopular, and FIFA eventually reversed course following fierce opposition from its member nations.

Now, Infantino is fighting to hold onto his presidency. He had appeared poised to cruise into a third and final term after declaring his candidacy for next year's elections, but confidence in his leadership has quickly crumbled. FIFA called an emergency meeting set for Aug. 5 to address the mounting concerns.

Having been publicly rebuked by European governing body UEFA and losing widespread support from former allies around the globe, Infantino now finds himself under intense scrutiny.

Here's a look at the obstacles he faces as he scrambles for re-election.

When Is the Next FIFA Presidential Election?

FIFA presidential elections take place every four years, with the next one scheduled at the FIFA Congress in Morocco on March 17, 2027.

A decade ago, regulations were revised to limit presidents to three terms totaling 12 years. The change came after Sepp Blatter was removed amid corruption allegations in 2016, following which Infantino assumed the role. Should he win re-election next March, Infantino will have served 15 years as president, as his initial three years were not counted as a full term.

The FIFA Congress following a World Cup is traditionally used to hold the election, with the most recent votes occurring in 2019 and 2023 after tournaments in Brazil and Qatar. Infantino claimed both elections without facing any opposition.

The Swiss-born leader is only the ninth person to hold the FIFA presidency. Robert Guérin was the first, taking office as far back as 1904.

How Do FIFA Presidential Elections Work?

While Infantino ran unopposed in the previous two elections, he will face challengers next March — a development that significantly complicates his path to victory.

The election is decided by the votes of individual member nations, of which there are 211 worldwide. Each member nation carries equal weight in the vote, regardless of size or prominence, and may back only one candidate per election.

To enter the race, candidates must have "played an active role in association football" for a minimum of two years and be cleared for candidacy by a FIFA committee. Critically, they must also secure the endorsement of at least five associations before the campaign registration deadline of Nov. 18 this year.

In a two-candidate race, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to win — meaning the support of at least 106 member nations.

However, if three or more candidates are in the running, preliminary rounds are held to narrow the field down to two.

Member Nations By Confederation

Will Infantino Win the 2027 FIFA Presidential Election?

Infantino's re-election is no longer a foregone conclusion.

UEFA's vocal criticism of Infantino, combined with the withdrawal of support from several member associations including England and Wales, has cast a shadow over his future. That said, it remains unclear how European nations will ultimately cast their votes when the time comes.

The AFC and Concacaf have also expressed opposition to Infantino's privatization plans, potentially pushing their members toward an alternative presidential candidate. Nevertheless, positions can shift considerably between now and next year's FIFA Congress.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is reportedly keen to mount a challenge against Infantino, according to The Athletic, and additional candidates may emerge in the weeks and months ahead.

There is also the possibility that next March's election could be moved up, but only under two specific conditions: either a majority of the FIFA Council's 37 members withdraw their support for Infantino, or at least a fifth of all member associations — 43 or more — formally request an early election.