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Gianni Infantino's grip on the FIFA presidency is looking increasingly fragile following his contentious—and ultimately shelved—proposal to bring private investment into the World Cup.
The Swiss official put forward a plan offering each of FIFA's 211 member associations $40 million in exchange for their support of a scheme that would open the men's and women's World Cups, along with other FIFA tournaments, to outside investors. The proposal triggered the most intense backlash of Infantino's tenure before being abandoned within days.
UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, responded by threatening to pull out of future World Cups if the plan moved forward. It subsequently issued a damning statement declaring it had "lost confidence" in Infantino's leadership, while critics throughout the sport accused FIFA of operating without transparency and condemned the plans as involving "shabby" tactics and "secret schemes."
Behind closed doors, efforts to unseat Infantino are gaining traction, with an emergency FIFA Congress and a vote of no confidence among the potential avenues being explored. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin is also said to be urging federations that previously supported Infantino to withdraw their backing.
Such a motion would need the support of 20% of FIFA's 211 member associations—43 federations in total—with UEFA alone accounting for 55, making a leadership challenge a very real possibility.
With Infantino's position now under serious pressure, speculation has already begun over who might replace him should he be ousted or decide to step down.
Here, Sports Illustrated profiles the five frontrunners to become the next FIFA president, assessing their credentials and what makes each of them a viable candidate to lead world soccer's governing body.
5. Arsène Wenger
A true dark horse, though not one to be entirely ruled out, is Arsène Wenger.
Since hanging up his managerial hat, the former Arsenal manager has grown into an increasingly prominent figure within FIFA as its Chief of Global Football Development, helping steer the future course of the game.
Wenger has never shied away from bold thinking. Earlier this year, his proposed "daylight offside rule" was even trialed in Canada, underscoring his readiness to challenge soccer's long-held conventions.
He has spoken favorably of Gianni Infantino in the past, though notably has kept quiet throughout the recent controversy surrounding the failed World Cup investment proposal.
Wenger's standing within the sport is unquestionable. Few individuals command as much respect, and his appointment would undoubtedly help revitalize FIFA's public image. However, his prior support of Infantino and comparatively limited experience in soccer politics place him firmly in the long-shot category.
4. Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
Few figures in global soccer wield as much influence as AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who also holds the position of FIFA's senior vice president.
The Bahraini official was among the most outspoken critics of Infantino's failed World Cup investment proposal, labeling the plans "totally unacceptable" in an open letter addressed to the AFC's 47 member associations.
There is also a prior rivalry between the two. Sheikh Salman ran against Infantino in the 2016 FIFA presidential election but was ultimately beaten by the Swiss administrator.
A member of Bahrain's ruling House of Khalifa, the 60-year-old has headed the AFC since 2013, having previously served as president of the Bahrain Football Association. With over a decade of experience overseeing Asian soccer—and already occupying one of the most senior roles within FIFA—he would enter the race as one of the most credentialed candidates should the presidency become vacant.
His current term as AFC president runs until 2027.
3. Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Nasser Al-Khelaifi has rapidly emerged as one of the top candidates to succeed Gianni Infantino should the FIFA president vacate his role.
The Qatari businessman and former professional tennis player brings experience at the pinnacle of club soccer. Since assuming the presidency of Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, he has presided over the most trophy-laden era in the club's history, including numerous domestic titles and back-to-back Champions League victories.
Beyond PSG, Al-Khelaifi has also cultivated considerable influence across the broader soccer landscape. He became chairman of the European Football Clubs (formerly the European Clubs' Association) in the wake of the failed European Super League project—a private breakaway competition that has drawn parallels to Infantino's controversial World Cup investment plans. Under his leadership, the organization has grown to more than 800 members.
He also sits on UEFA's executive committee and holds a seat on the FIFA Council, meaning he already has well-established relationships and meaningful experience within the sport's governing structures.
On paper, he checks many of the boxes: proven leadership at one of the world's elite clubs, experience representing clubs on a global scale, and a thorough understanding of both FIFA and UEFA operations.
The biggest stumbling block? He reportedly has no interest in the role.
"He genuinely, genuinely, genuinely doesn't want the job," a source close to the 52-year-old told BBC Sport when asked about the prospect of him running for FIFA president.
2. Victor Montagliani
Victor Montagliani is another name rapidly drawing attention as a potential replacement for Gianni Infantino.
The Canadian has led Concacaf since 2016, steering a period of expansion for the confederation, including the broadening of the 2024 Copa América, which was held outside South America for only the second time in the tournament's history.
Prior to taking the helm at Concacaf, Montagliani served as president of the Canadian Soccer Association, where he played a pivotal role in advancing Canada's bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup. That effort ultimately evolved into the successful joint bid with the United States and Mexico, resulting in the tournament being hosted across North America.
Montagliani is expected to pursue another term as Concacaf president next year, but Infantino's current difficulties have fueled speculation that he could instead set his sights on FIFA's top job.
Those rumors have only grown louder after all 41 Concacaf member associations rejected Infantino's failed World Cup private investment proposal.
BBC Sport's Dale Johnson has identified Montagliani as the leading challenger to Infantino, arguing that his candidacy would sidestep the perception of a UEFA-driven power grab while offering other confederations a more attractive alternative.
1. Lise Klaveness
Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, has emerged as an unexpected contender to succeed Gianni Infantino.
In the wake of the collapse of Infantino's World Cup investment plans, Klaveness appeared on Norwegian broadcaster Dagsrevyen and delivered a sharp critique of the FIFA president's leadership.
"We board members don't lead alone, and that's what he's missed in this matter," she said, in remarks widely interpreted as a pointed rebuke of Infantino.
This is far from the first time Klaveness has taken aim at FIFA. She has consistently spoken out against what she regards as the governing body's shortcomings, criticizing everything from the contentious FIFA Peace Prize to the management of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while repeatedly calling for greater transparency, accountability and stronger human rights protections.
Armed with a strong moral compass and a vision that stands in stark contrast to Infantino's, Klaveness possesses many of the qualities FIFA arguably needs most.
The challenge, however, is plain to see. As unjust as it may be, she would face the monumental hurdle of becoming the first woman ever elected FIFA president—a barrier no candidate has yet managed to overcome.