Gianni Infantino is actively campaigning for re-election as Fifa president at next year's congress in March, despite the controversy surrounding the abandoned World Cup sell-off plan. However, no credible opponent has emerged to challenge him, with sources suggesting potential candidates are deterred by the enormous incumbency advantage he possesses as the sitting president who controls Fifa's institutional machinery, funding, and resources. This threatens to result in an uncontested election, though some confederations have called for his removal.

The 56-year-old is permitted to seek a fourth term under a recent rule change that allows him an additional mandate because his first term lasted three years rather than four. Infantino has been crisscrossing the globe on Fifa-sponsored transport, approving development funding projects that coincide with his lobbying efforts, including appearances at the United Nations this week. The most credible potential challenger, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, is unavailable as he must contest his own confederation's election in February, and other candidates face similar obstacles or previous defeats by Infantino, leaving him virtually unchallenged.