Montagliani targets Concacaf re-election as UEFA sets out FIFA reforms

Victor Montagliani intends to seek a final term as Concacaf president rather than challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA leadership, BBC Sport reported on Thursday. Citing sources, the broadcaster said the Canadian had told colleagues he wanted to remain in charge of the confederation covering North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

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Montagliani had been regarded as a potential challenger following opposition to Infantino's abandoned proposal to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. However, he had never declared a FIFA candidacy. Infantino has confirmed plans to seek a fourth term in the presidential election in March, according to the BBC report.

The BBC said no challenger had yet been confirmed, with a candidate deadline of 18 November. Former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to stand, but whether he can secure the five supporting letters needed to appear on the ballot remains unclear.

Separately, UEFA confirmed that Aleksander Ceferin would seek a final term as its president after accepting a unanimous request from its 55 national associations to reconsider his decision not to run again. He announced his intentions at their meeting in Berlin. UEFA's election is scheduled for 22 April 2027 in Astana, Kazakhstan, at its 51st Ordinary Congress. His stated priorities include European unity and preparing UEFA for future leadership.

UEFA also published a FIFA reform agenda endorsed in Berlin on 8 October, with Azerbaijan the exception among its member associations. The proposals would separate the president's leadership duties from management, strengthen the FIFA Council and protect oversight bodies against interference. Changes to the international match calendar and FIFA competitions would require unanimous agreement from the FIFA Bureau.

On finances, UEFA called for at least $10 million in extra funding for every member association, alongside a transparent policy governing FIFA's reserves. It also proposed barring the use of FIFA resources for personal or electoral interests. These are demands for reform, not announced FIFA rule changes. UEFA said its national associations would meet again before 17 November.