Rabat – Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reportedly emerged as a possible challenger to Gianni Infantino in the 2027 FIFA presidential election amid growing opposition to the incumbent’s leadership.
According to The Telegraph, senior figures in European football have discussed encouraging Al-Khelaifi to enter the race, viewing the influential Qatari executive as one of the few potential candidates with the profile and institutional connections required to challenge Infantino.
However, no candidacy has been announced. Reports elsewhere have cited a source close to Al-Khelaifi as saying that he does not want the position, while the Qatar Football Association (QFA) has publicly backed Infantino during the current governance dispute.
The situation therefore remains fluid, and Al-Khelaifi should be described as a reported potential candidate rather than a confirmed contender.
Al-Khelaifi has served as PSG president since 2011 and chairs European Football Clubs (EFC), the organization representing hundreds of clubs across the continent.
He has been a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee since 2019 and has represented the EFC on the FIFA Council since October 2025.
He also chairs beIN Media Group and holds a position on the Qatar Investment Authority board.
Infantino faces growing resistance
Speculation surrounding possible challengers intensified after Infantino’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The project would have created a new company to manage major commercial and event operations, with FIFA considering the sale of a 20% minority stake to outside investors.
Reports said talks involved Thrive Capital, the investment company founded by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
FIFA later withdrew the proposal following opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
UEFA had accused FIFA of failing to consult football’s major stakeholders properly and strongly criticized efforts to link support for the plan with increased development payments to national associations.
The dispute added to pressure already surrounding the decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match World Cup ban after Trump contacted Infantino and asked for the case to be reviewed.
FIFA insists the disciplinary decision was taken independently and in accordance with its procedures. Several FIFA Council members are nevertheless reportedly seeking an extraordinary meeting and an external review of the case.
Reports suggest an emergency FIFA Congress could be requested with the support of 43 member associations.
That figure refers to the threshold for triggering the process, not a confirmed vote by all 55 UEFA federations to remove Infantino.
Other possible candidates
Al-Khelaifi is not the only football executive being discussed as a possible successor.
Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of Concacaf and a FIFA vice-president, is considered another possible contender.
He has led the North and Central American confederation since 2016 and played a major role in organizing the 2026 World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa could also be considered.
He narrowly lost the 2016 FIFA election to Infantino, although any new campaign would probably require strong backing from within Asia.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom has also appeared on lists of potential candidates. The Swedish administrator was formally appointed to his current role in May 2024 after serving on an interim basis.
Infantino has already announced that he will seek re-election for the 2027-2031 term. The election will take place at the 77th FIFA Congress in 2027, with FIFA confirming that the electoral period began on April 30.
The next Congress is scheduled to be held in Morocco.
Reports indicate that alternative candidates have until November 18 to declare their intention to stand. Infantino has reportedly secured more than 200 letters of support, although member associations can withdraw their endorsements before the nomination deadline.
For now, Al-Khelaifi’s name reflects the growing search for a credible alternative rather than the beginning of a confirmed campaign.
His decision, along with the positions adopted by UEFA, Qatar and other confederations, could determine whether Infantino faces a genuine contest next year.
