A potential shake‑up in world football governance
Victor Montagliani, the president of CONCACAF, is reportedly gearing up to run against Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in the election scheduled for 18 March 2025 in Morocco. The prospect of a challenge comes at a moment when the sport’s global leadership is under intense scrutiny.
Infantino confirmed in April that he intends to seek a fourth term, a move that has been met with resistance from several continental confederations. The core of the dissent centers on FIFA’s plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, a scheme that would hand commercial control of the tournament to a private partner.
During a meeting of CONCACAF’s 41 member associations, the organization formally rejected the proposal, citing concerns over the lack of due process and the compressed timeline for decision‑making. While the vote stopped short of calling for a boycott, it underscored the depth of unease among regional bodies.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has said it will examine the proposal before taking a final stance, reflecting a broader pattern of hesitation across the confederation. CONCACAF’s leadership has voiced “deep concerns” about the absence of review by FIFA’s governance structures, arguing that the process bypasses established protocols.
The opposition signals a shift in sentiment among stakeholders who had previously backed Infantino’s agenda. As the March 2025 election approaches, the interplay between commercial ambitions and governance transparency is likely to dominate discussions within world soccer’s governing circles.
Reuters attempted to obtain comment from CONCACAF regarding the reported challenge, but the federation did not provide an immediate response, leaving the details of Montagliani’s potential candidacy still subject to speculation.