Montagliani opts for Concacaf bid as UEFA presses for FIFA leadership change

Victor Montagliani plans to seek a final term as Concacaf president rather than challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA leadership, BBC Sport reported on October 8. The decision removes a potential rival from the presidential contest as UEFA pushes for new leadership and changes to the way world football's governing body is run. Infantino has confirmed he will seek a fourth term in March.

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According to sources cited by the BBC, Montagliani has told colleagues he wants to remain in charge of the confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean. The 61-year-old Canadian had been viewed as a possible challenger following opposition to Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. However, Montagliani had never publicly confirmed a presidential bid. The Guardian first reported that he would not stand against Infantino.

The development leaves those seeking an alternative facing a November 18 deadline to identify a candidate capable of bringing their campaign together. BBC Sport reported that no confirmed challenger had emerged. Former Tottenham and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to run, but whether he can secure the five supporting letters needed to appear on the ballot remains unclear.

Separately, Aleksander Ceferin told a meeting of all 55 UEFA national association chiefs in Berlin that he would seek a fourth term as president of the European governing body. That reverses his February 2024 position that he would not stand again. First elected in 2016, Ceferin has ruled out challenging Infantino himself while supporting efforts to find another candidate for the FIFA election.

UEFA also published a 14-point reform programme supported by 54 of its national associations, with Azerbaijan the exception. The proposals would reduce some direct presidential powers and protect ethics and disciplinary oversight from interference by the president or executive. UEFA said institutional changes alone would not be sufficient and called for a new leader able to win confidence across football's regions.

The programme also opposes using FIFA resources for personal or electoral purposes and calls for at least $10 million in additional funding for each of its 211 member associations. Infantino has already abandoned the World Cup investment proposal following widespread opposition, according to the BBC. UEFA's reform demands nevertheless remain in place, with its search for an alternative presidential candidate unresolved.