FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly facing significant pressure following proposals to sell stakes in the World Cup. This situation has prompted discussions about who might succeed him should he step down.
Among the potential candidates is Victor Montagliani, the current president of Concacaf. Elected in 2016 with a mandate for governance reform, Montagliani has been instrumental in the organization of the 2026 World Cup, the first to be co-hosted by three nations. He is multilingual, fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and has a background as the former president of Canada Soccer. Montagliani previously emphasized the resilience of football, stating that "the game is bigger than world current leaders." He has also expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a 64-team World Cup, differing from some of Infantino's proposed expansions.
Another figure in consideration is Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). First elected in 2013, Sheikh Salman secured an unopposed fourth term that extends to 2027. Under his leadership, the AFC has seen growth, including the launch of new competitions such as the Women's Champions League and the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams. Sheikh Salman has been critical of FIFA's current management under Infantino, and his confederation, comprising 46 member nations, has reportedly taken note of the substantial financial figures presented in Infantino's plans.
The controversy surrounding Infantino's proposed sale of World Cup stakes has brought the future leadership of FIFA into focus. The potential ramifications for global football governance and commercial strategies are significant, with figures like Montagliani and Sheikh Salman representing different leadership philosophies and regional influences within the sport.