Human rights group FairSquare has demanded FIFA bar Gianni Infantino from standing for re-election as president in March 2027, arguing a fourth term would violate the three-term limit enshrined in the governing body's statutes. In a complaint to FIFA's governance review panel, the NGO disputes FIFA's 2022 ruling that excluded Infantino's 2016–2019 period from the term count, saying no legal basis was ever published. Infantino contends he was merely completing Sepp Blatter's interrupted mandate.
The eligibility challenge compounds mounting institutional pressure. The Scottish Football Association withdrew its support, joining England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, while UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation accused FIFA of breaking trust through deception. Roughly half of Africa's 54 member associations are now said to oppose him in a secret ballot, despite their executive committee's public backing.
No rival candidate has emerged before the November deadline, though some nations within hostile confederations have pledged support.