If Infantino Goes, Who Gets the FIFA Crown? Football’s Next Power Play Begins

The question of who could replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president is beginning to attract attention, but for now, any discussion about a successor remains speculative. Infantino has been one of the most influential figures in world football since taking charge of FIFA in 2016. During his tenure, the organisation has expanded its competitions, increased commercial revenues and pushed ahead with changes to the international football calendar. If a leadership change were to happen, the race to succeed him would likely involve senior football administrators, influential figures from FIFA’s six continental confederations and candidates capable of building support across different regions. One possible factor would be FIFA's internal electoral politics. The president is elected by representatives of FIFA's member associations, meaning a successful candidate would need broad international backing rather than support from just one footballing region. Potential contenders could therefore emerge from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America or other confederations. However, naming a definitive favourite at this stage would be premature, particularly without an official election campaign or confirmed candidates. The eventual contest could also depend on the issues dominating football at the time. Governance, the expansion of international competitions, relations between FIFA and national associations, commercial growth and the increasingly crowded football calendar could all influence the choice of the next president. For now, there is no confirmed succession race. Any names being discussed should therefore be viewed as possibilities rather than established candidates. If Infantino were eventually to leave office, FIFA's next election could become one of the most closely watched leadership contests in international sport — but the identity of his successor will ultimately depend on who enters the race and who can secure the support of FIFA's global membership