As pressure mounts on Fifa president Gianni Infantino following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors, attention has increasingly shifted to one question: who could succeed him if his presidency comes to an end?
According to a BBC report, Infantino has come under growing criticism after abandoning the investment plan, with opposition extending beyond fans and politicians to some of world football's most influential governing bodies. Although there is no immediate indication that he will step down, recent developments have fuelled speculation about the future of his leadership.
The proposal drew strong resistance from European governing body Uefa, as well as Concacaf, which oversees North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). All three criticised the way Fifa had handled the proposal, raising broader concerns about the organisation's governance and decision making process.
The AFC said the issue went beyond a single proposal and had exposed "fundamental weaknesses" in Fifa's consultation and decision making that needed to be addressed.
According to sources, many Concacaf members have either lost confidence in Infantino's ability to lead world football or are rapidly losing faith in his leadership.
The pressure has also been compounded by the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's special advisers who had also been appointed by US President Donald Trump as a senior adviser to the White House Task Force for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Fifa chief operating officer Kevin Lamour told the Associated Press that the organisation's own administration had been "deceived" about the project.
Can Infantino survive?
Despite the criticism, former Football Association chairman David Bernstein believes Infantino's position remains secure unless support from national football associations begins to disappear.
"In a normal organisation, if he has to back down due to something of this magnitude he'd probably be shown the door," Bernstein told BBC Sport. "But Fifa is not a normal organisation. If he has the support of enough of the national associations, he will continue."
Former Fifa vice president Jim Boyce also told BBC Sport that Infantino is still likely to retain enough backing to secure another term, although he acknowledged the situation could change if current developments continue.
Infantino has led Fifa since 2016 after defeating then AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa by 115 votes to 88. He took office in the aftermath of the corruption scandal that led to Sepp Blatter's departure and pledged to restore credibility to the organisation.
Since then, Infantino has twice been re-elected without opposition and had been widely expected to secure another uncontested term at the next Fifa Congress in Morocco in March 2027.
However, at least one Uefa member has already withdrawn its letter supporting his re-election as the controversy has unfolded.
If the race for the presidency becomes competitive, several prominent football administrators are considered potential contenders.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has also been mentioned as a possible successor. As chairman of European Football Clubs, formerly the European Clubs' Association, he oversaw the organisation's expansion to more than 800 member clubs following the collapse of the European Super League in 2021.
Despite his profile, a source close to Al-Khelaifi told the BBC that he has no interest in seeking the Fifa presidency.
Victor Montagliani
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is regarded as one of the strongest possibilities. Like Infantino, he was elected in 2016 on a platform of governance reform and previously served as president of Canada Soccer. He also played a key role in preparations for the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Montagliani has been credited with helping manage football's political challenges in recent years. He opposed making the expanded Copa America a regular tournament, helped ease tensions over proposals for a biennial World Cup and has expressed reservations about expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
Another potential candidate is AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who has led the confederation since 2013 and was recently re-elected unopposed for a fourth term through 2027.
During his tenure, the AFC has expanded several club competitions, including the Champions League Elite, Champions League Two and the Challenge League, while launching the Women's Champions League in the 2024-25 season. The Asian Cup has also been expanded to 24 teams.
Sheikh Salman also led the AFC's opposition to Infantino's investment proposal, carrying the support of the confederation's 46 member associations, many of which viewed the proposal as having major financial implications for football development across Asia.
Mattias Grafstrom
Another name under discussion is current Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, who was formally appointed in May 2024 after serving as Infantino's chief of staff since 2016.
Grafstrom has become an increasingly influential figure within Fifa and maintained a prominent role during the 2026 World Cup. However, his close association with Infantino, coupled with a perception that Fifa's next president should come from outside Europe, could work against his chances.
Candidates have until 18 November to submit their nominations for the Fifa presidency, with the election set to take place at the organisation's 77th Congress in Morocco next March.
fifa / Gianni Infantino
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