Infantino on course for fourth term – Criticism from Europe and complaint filed with IOC

Broad support from three continents

Infantino announced his renewed candidacy at the end of April at the Congress in Vancouver. He has been FIFA President since 2016, when he succeeded Joseph Blatter. Two subsequent confirmations in office took place without rival candidates. Should Infantino be elected again in March 2027 in Rabat, the new term will run until 2031 according to the FIFA statutes – it would be his last as FIFA President.

Alongside the broad support from the member associations, criticism from Europe is mounting. The British human rights organization FairSquare stated that it had filed a formal complaint with the IOC this week. FairSquare accuses Infantino of having repeatedly violated IOC rules on political neutrality. The core of the allegations is that Infantino allegedly offered political support to US President Donald Trump.

Point of criticism Balogun: Red card with political overtones

The trigger for the criticism is an incident involving US professional Folarin Balogun. He received the red card in the World Cup round of 16 match between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The formally independent FIFA Disciplinary Commission lifted the standard match ban following a phone call between Trump and Infantino and suspended the ban on probation, without giving reasons. According to FIFA, the decision was made by the independent Disciplinary Commission; Infantino had previously denied that the US President had influenced the Commission's decision.

Trump thanked Infantino for lifting the ban. Words and circumstances gave observers the impression of personal influence by the FIFA President. Infantino did not comment on the matter at the occasion. The incident drew broad criticism over the impression of political influence.

European distance: The DFB abstains

The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed that it had not signed any letter of support for Infantino's renewed candidacy. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler said the matter had caused "definitely" damage to football. The reports were broadcast on 18 July 2026, among others, on Deutschlandfunk.

Outlook: Election in Rabat and IOC proceedings

The FairSquare complaint and Infantino's announcement of his candidacy coincide chronologically with European criticism of the lifting of the Balogun ban. No rival candidate has publicly positioned himself so far, although critical voices are increasingly being raised, particularly from Europe. Until the nomination deadline on 18 November 2026, there is theoretically still time for a contested candidacy.

With a view to the Congress in Rabat, all indicators suggest that Infantino will be confirmed without any serious rival candidacy. The broad support from three continental confederations, as well as the more than 200 letters of support according to its own figures, make his re-election appear to be a formality. The open question remains how the IOC and European associations will respond to the FairSquare complaint.