Infantino to seek fourth term as FIFA president

VANCOUVER: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that he planned to seek re-election for a fourth term in a bid to continue to lead the governing body of world soccer.
Infantino confirmed he ‌would run ‌for the 2027–2031 term in ​the ‌closing ⁠moments ​of the ⁠FIFA Congress in Vancouver, which comes less than two months before the start of the World Cup.
The election will be held on March 18 in Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Infantino said ⁠he was “honored and humbled” to have ‌the chance to run ‌for a fourth term.
The Italian-Swiss ​took office in ‌2016, replacing Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected ‌unopposed in 2019 and 2023.
Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year’s World Cup in North America the ‌first to feature 48 teams, while the women’s tournament in 2023 has ⁠been ⁠expanded to 32 teams.
Infantino’s tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as high World Cup ticket prices and the decision to award the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump at the World Cup draw in December.
Earlier this month, the council of South American football’s governing body (CONMEBOL) said in a statement it would ​unanimously support the 56-year ​old if he decided to seek another term.