Klaveness says credible challenger could contest Infantino’s Fifa re-election
Lise Klaveness says she is unlikely to run for Fifa president, but believes a credible challenger could contest Gianni Infantino’s re-election next year. The Norwegian Football Federation president wants football’s governing bodies to improve how they remedy human rights harms linked to major tournaments.
After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, families of workers injured or killed during preparations received no compensation from Fifa’s legacy fund. A review prompted by Klaveness found Fifa had a responsibility to provide remedy, but the organisation did not redirect the money. She wants stronger practices ahead of Euro 2028 and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia; candidates for the Fifa presidency must be nominated by 18 November.
In short
- Klaveness says she is unlikely to seek Fifa’s presidency.
- She believes another candidate could challenge Infantino.
- She is pressing Fifa to address tournament-related labour harms.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A credible challenger could make Fifa’s leadership answer for its failure to direct compensation to families harmed during preparations for the Qatar World Cup. Stronger human-rights remedies would show that football’s governing bodies take responsibility for harms linked to tournaments and could help prevent similar failures at future events.
The case against
Infantino’s supporters could argue that a leadership challenge is not itself a remedy for affected families, and that reform may be more effective through changes to Fifa’s policies and oversight. They may also contend that decisions about compensation require careful assessment of responsibility and funding, and that continuity in leadership can help deliver longer-term changes.
Explained simply
Fifa is football’s world governing body, and its president leads the organisation and is elected by representatives of national football associations. Gianni Infantino has held the role since 2016; Lise Klaveness is president of Norway’s football association and has called for governing bodies to address harms connected to major tournaments.
The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar, where migrant workers faced serious risks during preparations for the tournament. Fifa set up a legacy fund, but families of workers injured or killed received no compensation from it; a review commissioned by Klaveness concluded Fifa had a responsibility to provide a remedy.
The debate matters as football authorities prepare for Euro 2028 and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. It concerns how governing bodies respond when people are harmed in connection with tournaments, and what responsibility they have to provide support or compensation.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Lise Klaveness: ‘Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino’”.