Montagliani to seek final Concacaf term rather than challenge Infantino

Victor Montagliani intends to seek another term as Concacaf president rather than challenge Gianni Infantino for the leadership of Fifa, BBC Sport reported. The decision removes a potential opponent ahead of the March presidential election, although Montagliani had never publicly confirmed a bid for football's top administrative post.

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Citing sources, the BBC said the 61-year-old Canadian had told colleagues he would pursue a final term leading the confederation responsible for North and Central America and the Caribbean. His plans were first reported by the Guardian. Montagliani had been regarded as a possible challenger following opposition to Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan the Fifa president subsequently abandoned.

Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth term. European governing body Uefa, which has led efforts to replace him, faces an 18 November deadline to find a candidate capable of bringing together his opponents. According to the BBC, no confirmed challenger has emerged. Former Switzerland and Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to run, but whether he can obtain the five supporting letters needed to reach the ballot remains unclear.

Separately, Aleksander Ceferin told a meeting of the heads of all 55 Uefa national associations in Berlin that he would seek a fourth term as the European body's president. That reverses his February 2024 position that he would not stand again. Ceferin, first elected in 2016, has ruled out challenging Infantino himself, while remaining committed to finding an alternative candidate for the Fifa election.

The Berlin meeting also produced a 14-point proposal for reforming Fifa, supported by Uefa and 54 national associations, with Azerbaijan the exception. The proposals seek to limit some presidential powers and prevent presidential or executive interference in bodies responsible for ethics and disciplinary oversight. Uefa also called for Fifa resources to be kept out of personal or electoral activities, and for at least $10 million in additional funding for each of its 211 member associations.

The dispute has extended beyond Europe. In August, Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation jointly issued an open letter accusing Infantino of deception and a breach of trust. The BBC reported that AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has since appeared to soften his position. Montagliani's reported choice leaves opponents of Infantino still searching for a unifying challenger as the nomination deadline approaches.