European football leaders are gathering in Berlin for a high-stakes summit, with the immediate goal of finalizing a strategy to remove Gianni Infantino as FIFA president. The event, which brings together representatives from UEFA’s 55 member federations, follows mounting tension between European leadership and the global football body. UEFA has called its 55 member federations to a previously scheduled summit on Thursday in Berlin that arrives in the midst of European efforts to get a new leader for football’s world body.
The push for change gained momentum after Infantino’s failed private investment proposal for the World Cup in July. The plan, which was abandoned shortly after its public revelation, deepened existing distrust regarding the FIFA president’s management style. UEFA is now exploring further action, including the preparation of a criminal complaint in Switzerland alleging financial mismanagement linked to the controversial sell-off deal. Furthermore, the organization has initiated efforts in the United States to secure authorization for the discovery of evidence.
Addressing the internal climate, UEFA general-secretary Theodore Theodoridis remarked last month that things within FIFA had gone too far, expressing a clear desire to restore the organization to its proper course. Despite this resolve, UEFA faces a significant challenge in building a united front. While Europe controls over 25 percent of the 211 votes available for the upcoming March 18 election in Rabat, Morocco, research indicates Infantino currently holds approximately 90 pledged votes. Research by The Associated Press news agency suggests Infantino already has about 90 votes pledged – albeit before any potential opponent is known.
To mount a credible challenge, UEFA and its international allies must nominate a candidate before the November 18 entry deadline. Potential contenders remain uncertain. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, alongside FIFA vice presidents from Asia and North America, publicly criticized Infantino for his handling of the World Cup investment plan, though Ceferin has consistently denied interest in the top role himself. He has noted, however, that there are many potential candidates capable of stepping forward. First, UEFA and its allies worldwide need to agree on at least one candidate to challenge Infantino by the November 18 deadline to enter the race.
Other prominent figures, such as CONCACAF’s Victor Montagliani and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, have either prioritized other responsibilities or explicitly ruled themselves out of contention. Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who previously contested the presidency against Infantino in 2016, also does not currently appear set to run. He had been favourite in a five-man campaign that Infantino eventually won in February 2016.
The current political landscape remains fractured. Infantino continues to cultivate support, meeting with officials in Prague on Wednesday, while nations like Azerbaijan and Latvia remain publicly aligned with him. As the Berlin summit progresses, the focus remains on debating international competition policy and identifying a candidate committed to reforming FIFA’s governance and increasing institutional transparency. The home country of a close aide, and Latvia, infantino has support promised from Azerbaijan.
