UEFA President Ceferin calls on FIFA chief Infantino to resign

— a passage that was circulated in the Spanish wording of the interview. With this formulation, Ceferin was directly referring to the ongoing loss of confidence that Infantino had suffered as a result of controversial plans to involve investors in future World Cup business.

Background: Investor plans and their consequences

The plans published at the beginning of the year to involve external investors in the revenues and organization of future World Cups had sparked outrage in the football world. Following widespread criticism from associations, leagues and fan organizations, the proposals were withdrawn.

Ceferin reiterated in the conversation that he would not run as a counter-candidate in the next FIFA presidential election. In doing so, the Slovenian is sticking to a line he had already pursued in earlier conflicts with FIFA, and is leaving the personnel question of the world football organization to its own membership.

Ceferin's position in the power structure

The UEFA chief has been considered one of Infantino's most prominent critics within world football for years. He had repeatedly called for reform proposals and a stronger say for the confederations, but had always remained within the framework of association law and had sought direct confrontations with the FIFA leadership without himself standing for the top office in Zurich.

The statements come at a time when relations between UEFA and FIFA are already strained. Discussions about the awarding of future World Cups, the expansion of the World Cup to 48 participants, and a possible reform of the World Cup planning cycles had recently led to public differences between the two largest football associations.

Reactions and outlook

Infantino himself has so far not publicly responded to Ceferin's remarks. FIFA also initially did not react to the call for resignation made in the podcast. Observers interpret the silence as a sign that the association is taking the statements seriously, but at the same time wants to wait for the internal election calendar.

The next FIFA presidential election is currently not scheduled for several years. Until that date, the question of Infantino's political support will continue to accompany the debate within the confederations, the national associations and the fan organizations — and thus also shape the relationship between UEFA in Nyon and FIFA in Zurich.

Ceferin's appearance in the podcast underlines a strategy that relies on public pressure rather than his own candidacy. Should support in the "football community", among players and coaches continue to wane, according to the implicit message of the UEFA president, Infantino will not be able to ignore this — regardless of who formally stands in an election.