Gianni Infantino’s position at FIFA could face growing pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project has triggered strong opposition from UEFA and several football organizations. The proposed $20 billion commercial structure, which could have involved private investors, raised concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making.
The European Union has not officially opposed Infantino, but Brussels could still increase the pressure on FIFA. European lawmakers have already raised concerns about governance and sporting integrity, while European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef criticized the “relentless commercialization” of football. EU competition law could also give European institutions another way to examine FIFA’s economic activities.
UEFA could now turn that political pressure into electoral influence. Aleksander Čeferin and Europe’s 55 national associations could challenge Infantino’s leadership and push for greater transparency within FIFA. Infantino remains a strong candidate for re-election, but the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise has exposed divisions that could make his 2027 campaign far more complicated.
