FIFA Term Limit Challenge
FairSquare Challenges FIFA's Infantino Term Decision Amid Global Federation Pushback Ahead of Election
Key Points
FairSquare argues that FIFA's 2022 decision to discount Infantino's 2016–2019 term is inconsistent with FIFA statutes and could set a dangerous precedent by enabling a fourth term.
FIFA floated a plan to create a $20-billion subsidiary to manage and monetize World Cup rights to attract private investment, a proposal that UEFA, AFC and Concacaf protested and that was later shelved after protests.
UEFA, AFC and Concacaf issued a joint letter calling for unity and stating leadership should serve football, not rule it, in response to Infantino's leadership and the privatization plan.
The Norwegian Football Federation backed FairSquare's complaint, increasing pressure ahead of the election and urging adjudication on whether Infantino violated FIFA statutes.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell said his federation would not support Infantino's re-election.
Human rights group FairSquare has formally asked FIFA to declare President Gianni Infantino ineligible for a fourth term, citing the organization's own three-term limit rule, according to Al Jazeera. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is currently the only declared candidate for the 2027–2031 presidency cycle. The vote is set for March 18, 2027, in Morocco.
The dispute centers on a 2022 FIFA decision that did not count Infantino's first term — spanning 2016 to 2019 — toward the three-term maximum. FairSquare argues that move contradicts FIFA's own statutes and could open the door to an indefinite grip on power, Al Jazeera reported.
FairSquare Says 2022 Term Decision Breaks FIFA's Own Rules
FairSquare's complaint rests on a simple argument: Infantino has already served three terms, so a fourth is banned under FIFA statutes. The group says FIFA's 2022 ruling — which wiped the 2016–2019 period from the term count — was inconsistent with the rules FIFA itself wrote, according to Al Jazeera.
The Norwegian Football Federation backed FairSquare's complaint, adding institutional weight to the challenge, Freedom 96.9 reported. The group is urging FIFA to adjudicate whether Infantino violated its statutes before the election moves forward. The Scottish Football Association's chief executive, Ian Maxwell, went further — saying his federation would not support Infantino's re-election at all.
Shelved $20 Billion Plan Sparked Revolt From UEFA, AFC and Concacaf
Infantino's troubles stretch beyond term limits. FIFA floated a plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary that would manage and sell World Cup broadcasting rights to attract private investment. The proposal alarmed three of the sport's most powerful regional bodies, according to Al Jazeera.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf sent a joint letter opposing the scheme. They wrote that leadership should "serve football, not rule it." FIFA eventually shelved the plan after the protests, but the episode deepened distrust of Infantino's management style among confederations.
Infantino Stays Sole Candidate as Opposition Builds
Despite the growing opposition, Infantino remains the only person who has formally declared a run for the 2027–2031 term, according to Taylorville Daily News. No rival candidate has stepped forward, leaving FIFA member associations as the key pressure point ahead of the March vote.
FairSquare's campaign has gained momentum with backing from the Norwegian Football Federation and critical statements from multiple confederations. Still, FIFA has not publicly responded to the complaint. With nearly two years until the congress vote in Morocco, the eligibility fight is likely to intensify.
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