Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has endorsed Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness as the next leader of world football's governing body, declaring on X that she "deserves the greatest respect" and that the time has come for a woman at the helm. Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation since 2022, has emerged as a prominent candidate to succeed Gianni Infantino, who faces mounting pressure after abandoning plans to sell portions of the World Cup product to external investors following fierce backlash.
Klaveness is among the frontrunners named by Sports Illustrated and Reuters, alongside UEFA chief Aleksander Čeferin and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani. Candidacies must be submitted by 18 November 2026, with the election scheduled for 18 March 2027 in Rabat.
Infantino has reportedly called a FIFA crisis meeting as several nations withhold their support. The Norwegian federation is holding meetings this week to discuss the situation.