FIFA says Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election in 2027.

If re-elected, the 56-year-old Swiss would remain FIFA president until 2031.

Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, has faced growing pressure following his controversial proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms.

The plan triggered widespread criticism across the football community, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, in opposition to the proposal.“Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election,” FIFA said in a statement.

The confirmation comes after Infantino declined to answer questions about his political future when questioned by reporters at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland on Saturday.

FIFA has accused UEFA of launching a “smear campaign” against the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino, in a sharp escalation of their dispute over a now-abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights.

In court filings submitted in the United States, FIFA described UEFA’s recent legal applications as “little more than press releases” designed to damage its leadership. UEFA had sought court orders in New York, Florida and Colorado for the disclosure of documents and testimony related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which it said could support potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

The FFE plan, which aimed to sell around a 20% stake for approximately $4.2 billion to private investors, was withdrawn at the end of July after widespread opposition from UEFA and other confederations. UEFA has alleged mismanagement and questioned the valuation promoted by Infantino.

FIFA countered that the scheme was only a proposal that required democratic approval from member associations and the FIFA Council. It accused UEFA of refusing to engage in that process and instead pursuing a weeks-long public campaign against FIFA and its president.

• Messi’s successor, Cristian “Cuti” Romero

Cristian “Cuti” Romero has emerged as Argentina’s new main captain following Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football, marking the beginning of a new leadership era for the world champions.

Romero, who previously served as the third-choice captain behind Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, has now been entrusted with the armband by both Argentina’s coaching staff and his fellow players.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender has long been regarded as one of the most influential voices within the Argentina dressing room, with his vocal leadership and uncompromising style making him a natural successor to Messi.

His promotion also reflects the growing importance of the defender to the national team since establishing himself as a key figure under head coach Lionel Scaloni.

Romero’s leadership credentials have previously received the backing of Messi, who praised the defender’s impact on Argentina’s defensive stability and described his contribution as “extraordinary”.

With Messi’s international retirement bringing an end to a 21-year Argentina career, Romero now faces the challenge of leading a team that has enjoyed unprecedented success in recent years.

Under Scaloni, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, with Messi at the heart of the team’s transformation from perennial underachievers to a dominant force in international football.