UEFA's Ceferin says Infantino could face election challenger, rules out FIFA bid

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin ruled himself out of running for the FIFA presidency but said Gianni Infantino would likely face a challenger if he seeks reelection next year following a global backlash over a plan to sell part of the World Cup to private investors.

Speaking to The Rest Is Politics: Leading podcast, which will air on Monday (Aug 24), Ceferin said he was not interested in succeeding Infantino despite growing uncertainty around the FIFA president's future after his abandoned investment proposal.

"One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point you have also, I mean, it's time also to enjoy life a bit," Ceferin said.

"Let's see till when. And the second point is, my credibility is much, much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position."

The UEFA chief, who said he had had no contact with Infantino since controversy erupted over the abandoned selloff plan, suggested the Swiss administrator would likely face opposition if he stands again in March.

"There are two options," Ceferin said. "One option is that he realises that he doesn't have the support, and that's not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.

"And the second option that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who."

Ceferin also criticised the proposed World Cup investment project, describing it as a greater threat to the sport than the European Super League plan that UEFA successfully fought in 2021.

"When you compared in the beginning this plan with the Super League plan, I think