UEFA convened its Top Executive Program in Berlin on Thursday, October 8, with 55 federation presidents and general secretaries gathering at the Ritz Hotel to discuss reforms and leadership challenges, according to Diario AS reported. The meeting focused on the restructuring of the Nations League and broader tensions over FIFA’s leadership dynamics.
Reforms and Fractures: The Nations League Shift
The primary agenda item was the transition of the UEFA Nations League to a “virtual league” format, mirroring existing club competition models. This shift, outlined in the meeting’s official brief, aims to align the tournament with modern scheduling practices, though details remain under discussion.
Club competitions have long used virtual league structures to accommodate global travel and commercial schedules.
UEFA Opposes Infantino Bid for Re-Election
Beyond tournament formats, the meeting highlighted deepening divisions over FIFA’s leadership. Gianni Infantino, the current FIFA president, has declared his intention to seek re-election on March 18 in Rabat, a move opposed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Ceferin has urged the European confederation to unify behind an alternative candidate.
UEFA’s internal dynamics remain fluid. While no official European candidate has emerged, speculation has centered on Víctor Montagliani, the Concacaf president. However, sources indicate Montagliani’s potential candidacy lacks broad support within the confederation. Meanwhile, Ramón Vega, a former player of Spanish origin, has re-entered the FIFA presidential race, having previously run in 2015, 2019, and 2022 without success.
Infantino’s campaign has included visits to European federations, with reports of backing from Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, and Azerbaijan.
Ceferin’s Uncertain Future at UEFA
Parallel to the FIFA leadership struggle, UEFA faces its own succession questions. Ceferin announced that he would not seek re-election for the 2027 term. However, recent internal discussions suggest a push to extend his tenure. A proposal to adjust UEFA’s presidential term limits was approved in Paris in 2024, but Ceferin has since reaffirmed his decision to step down.
Despite this, some UEFA members advocate for his continued leadership.
Key Dates and Next Steps
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18 in Rabat. UEFA’s internal leadership elections for 2027 will take place on April 22, 2027.
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