Human rights organisation FairSquare has urged FIFA to rule that Gianni Infantino is ineligible to seek another term as president. They argue he has already served the maximum three terms permitted under FIFA statutes, despite a 2022 ruling that excluded his first partial term from counting toward this limit [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

FIFA presidents are limited by statute to three terms in office. Infantino became president in February 2016 after Sepp Blatter resigned. However, in 2022 FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee decided his initial 2016-2019 period should not count as a full term because he completed an interrupted mandate, a ruling ratified unanimously by the FIFA Council in December 2022 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

FairSquare contends this interpretation conflicts with FIFA’s rules and violates the three-term cap. Director Nicholas McGeehan said, "The complaint we have filed provides clear evidence that this is a clear breach of the rules and one that sets a very dangerous precedent." He added, "The rules state clearly that three presidential terms is the maximum allowed, FIFA can't simply circumvent this rule -- which serves as a check on presidential power -- by saying that his first term doesn't count." [1]

FairSquare also questioned the transparency of FIFA’s 2022 ruling, noting the committee never publicly explained its reasoning and made the announcement just two days before the 2022 World Cup final [1, 2, 4].

Infantino is expected to seek re-election for a 2027-31 term at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 18, 2027 in Morocco [1, 2, 3, 4]. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF have called for a review of Infantino’s conduct following FIFA’s proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary to attract private investment linked to FIFA competitions [1, 2, 3, 4].

The Scottish Football Association joined several other national associations in voicing opposition to Infantino’s candidacy. CEO Ian Maxwell said, "Our federation would not support Infantino's re-election." [1] Meanwhile, Infantino retains backing from the African and South American confederations [1, 2, 3, 4].

On August 17, 2026, FIFA confirmed Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour’s relationship with the organisation ended after he publicly criticized Infantino’s $20 billion proposal [3]. FairSquare’s letter to FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee was also sent on August 17, urging a block of Infantino’s candidacy on term limits grounds [1, 2, 3, 4].

The FIFA Congress in Morocco on March 18, 2027 will hold the vote determining whether Infantino can secure another term.