“I would like to thank the national associations for their trust,” Aleksander Ceferin stated during a European football gathering, setting aside speculation about a move to world football’s highest office to secure his path forward at the continent’s governing body.
Aleksander Ceferin will run for a fourth term as president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), ruling himself out as a challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming election cycle. The Slovenian official, who turns 59 years old in a matter of days and has held the post since 2016, announced his candidacy during a strategic meeting of European football leaders in Berlin.
Ceferin pointed to the collective handling of past pressures as the driver behind his decision to seek another four-year mandate. “We have faced extraordinary challenges in recent years—and we have mastered them as a team,” Ceferin said. “There is still important work ahead of us, and that is why I have complied with their request to run again.”
Berlin Strategy Meeting Solidifies UEFA Leadership Plans
The announcement came to light during discussions among the chiefs of UEFA’s 55 member associations gathered in the German capital. The meeting’s primary agenda centered on charting UEFA’s strategic positioning relative to FIFA amid ongoing institutional friction within world football.
By committing to the European presidency, Ceferin officially closes the door on rumors linking him to a challenge against Infantino at the FIFA presidential vote scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. Instead, Ceferin remains at the helm of the anti-Infantino opposition block within European associations that have increasingly pushed back against the global body’s leadership.
While Ceferin’s continuation at UEFA is now settled, the broader European opposition faces a tight deadline to mount a credible challenge against Infantino. European associations have until November 18 to formally nominate an opposing candidate for the FIFA presidency. Swiss former international player Ramon Vega publicly entered the race on Wednesday, presenting himself as an alternative to Infantino, who faces intense scrutiny following a stalled push to market World Cup broadcasting rights through external investors.
Infantino recently attempted to appease critics by offering his opponents discussions regarding potential structural reforms within FIFA.
Statute Changes and Past Reversals Shape the Fourth Mandate
Ceferin’s bid for a new term is legally underpinned by a statute change implemented by UEFA in 2024. While the continental organization’s regulations enforce a 12-year term limit for its presidency, an amendment ensured that Ceferin’s initial tenure—assumed in 2016 following the suspension of Michel Platini—does not count toward that cap. Critics previously warned the adjustment was specifically designed to clear a path for a fourth term, whereas UEFA maintained the revision was legally necessary.
The path to Thursday's announcement involved a change in stance. Two and a half years ago, during a congress in Paris, Ceferin publicly declared he would not seek re-election, citing fatigue and a need for “fresh blood” at the organization. However, he signaled an openness to staying on during subsequent meetings in Belgrade, ultimately reversing course entirely during the Berlin summit.
Astana Congress Date Set for Formal Election
The formal vote to ratify Ceferin’s next four-year term will take place at the UEFA Congress on April 22 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At present, no opposing candidates have emerged from within the European membership, and any potential challenger is considered currently devoid of a chance.
The decision leaves the internal governance of European football locked in its current leadership structure while leaving the international contest against FIFA's administration uncertain ahead of the November nomination deadline.
Worth a look
