Infantino to stand unopposed in FIFA presidential election for third term

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will stand unopposed to be re-elected for a third term in the position.

Infantino, 52, became head of world football’s governing body when he succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016. The Swiss-Italian was then re-elected until 2023 in 2019.

FIFA released a statement on Thursday that confirmed there was only one candidate for next year’s presidential election, which will take place on Mach 16.

Infantino could remain FIFA president until 2031 if he continues to be successful in upcoming election cycles until that period.

According to FIFA’s statutes, the first three years of Infantino’s presidency — when he completed an unfinished term started by Blatter — does not count against the 12-year presidential limit.

FIFA presidential terms normally run in four-year cycles.

Blatter was FIFA president for 17 years until he was banned amid a corruption scandal in 2015.