Uefa may pick Infantino rival by next week

Uefa and its allied groups are poised to name a candidate to challenge Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency, potentially as soon as next week. The European confederation aims to finalize the selection before the November 18 deadline, which requires candidates to confirm their intent to stand in the March election.

Discussions with potential nominees have accelerated despite recent obstacles. One notable setback occurred when Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, reversed his position and endorsed Infantino’s bid for a fourth term. This shift complicated the effort to secure support from the Asian bloc, which is essential for reaching the 106 votes needed to win the election.

Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager and current Fifa chief of global football development, has been widely discussed as a potential unity candidate. However, he is not believed to have seriously entered the race. Wenger was in Azerbaijan this week promoting the Fifa Under-15 World Cup, a new tournament organized by his employer.

Uefa is working to prevent a premature announcement to avoid what sources describe as a dirty tricks campaign by Fifa. The executive committee and heads of European national associations will review the candidate’s identity once it is confirmed. Some sources indicate that the necessary meetings to make this decision may be convened within seven days.

The race against Infantino faces skepticism. He has worked to recover his standing after the Fifa Forward Enterprise scandal damaged his reputation. To win, a challenger must secure the European vote and add substantial support from Asia, Concacaf, and Africa. Some European officials argue that a mass boycott would be more effective than an election, aiming to isolate Infantino financially.

Infantino is currently navigating administrative issues, including the lack of a host for the 2029 men’s Club World Cup. Uefa has filed applications in four US courts to release documents related to the failed FFE scheme, intending to lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Fifa has accused Uefa of harassment and denied wrongdoing. Infantino has until Monday to respond to 42 governance questions from Uefa, a response that has not yet been received.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has taken a hardline approach against Fifa leadership. He recently criticized Infantino in a polemic titled The Emperor’s New Clothes at a meeting in Copenhagen. Ceferin’s stance is critical as the US midterm elections occur on Tuesday. Democratic lawmakers have launched an investigation into Infantino’s links with the Trump administration, a process that could gain momentum if Democrats take control of the House.