The Swiss Gianni Infantino was re-elected this Thursday as FIFA president until 2027 by acclamation, as the only candidate, during the 73rd Congress that the organization is holding in Kigali (Rwanda).
Infantino became FIFA’s ninth president, after serving as UEFA general secretary, on February 26, 2016, in elections held after the corruption scandal that ended Sepp Blatter’s 18-year term.
He then defeated Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain in the second ballot, with 115 votes to 88. In the first consultation, the Jordanian Ali Bin Al Hussein and the Frenchman Jerome Champagne were ruled out. On June 5, 2019, Infantino was re-elected as the sole candidate by acclamation, the same as today.
After re-election, Infantino faces his second stage at the helm of FIFA, since the period of his election in 2016 does not count as complete because he had to replace then-president Joseph Blatter. If he decides to run again in 2027, the Swiss will still have another stage ahead of him, since the statutes provide for three four-year terms in office.
Moments after being elected, Gianni Infantino declared that it is an incredible honor and a huge privilege to be FIFA President.” “I promise you that I will continue to serve FIFA, the federations and football. Let’s strive so that together we can unite the world through football,” he added.
