# FIFA’s Infantino ineligible for re-election, says former governance chief

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fifas-infantino-ineligible-for-re-election-says-former-governance-chief/
- Published: 2026-11-04T07:39:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T03:56:14+00:00
- Original publisher: Al Jazeera (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/11/4/fifas-infantino-ineligible-for-re-election-says-former-governance-chief?traffic_source=rss
- Topics: Elections, Football, Politics, Sport, World

## Key points

- A former FIFA governance chief says Infantino cannot seek a fourth term.
- FIFA ruled that his 2016–19 spell did not count towards the limit.
- FairSquare is urging member associations to challenge his eligibility.

## Summary

Former FIFA governance committee head Miguel Maduro says Gianni Infantino is ineligible to seek a fourth term in 2027, arguing the statutes limit presidents to three terms and make no exception for a shortened term. The dispute matters because FIFA’s interpretation of the rules could determine whether Infantino, whose re-election bid has gained strong support, can remain president.

Infantino was first elected in 2016 after Sepp Blatter resigned, then re-elected in 2019 and 2023. FIFA’s Council ruled in 2022 that the 2016–19 period did not count towards his term limit, but FairSquare says the reasoning was not made public and has urged member associations to challenge his eligibility. The organisation contacted 52 associations ahead of the candidacy deadline; Maduro also criticised FIFA’s oversight of presidential power and said associations were reluctant to act amid a “climate of fear”.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.