Paris Saint-Germain president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi has ruled out standing against Gianni Infantino in the 2027 FIFA presidential election, despite efforts by UEFA figures to persuade him to enter the race.
European football officials had viewed Al-Khelaifi as a leading candidate to challenge Infantino following growing tensions over FIFA’s controversial proposal to create and sell stakes in a new commercial entity linked to the World Cup.
As chairman of the European Football Clubs (EFC), Al-Khelaifi has been a prominent critic of the proposal, making him a natural choice for those seeking an alternative to the incumbent FIFA president.
However, sources close to the Qatari executive dismissed speculation about a presidential bid as “media hype,” insisting his focus remains on leading Paris Saint-Germain and BeIN Media Group rather than pursuing football’s highest office.
His decision is another boost for Infantino, who is widely expected to seek re-election in March 2027. The FIFA president retains strong backing from member associations across Africa, Asia and South America, where increased funding and revenue redistribution under his leadership have strengthened his support.
According to RMC Sport, Infantino’s financial reforms and growing influence within FIFA make any European-backed challenge difficult, leaving UEFA to continue its search for another candidate to oppose him.
The disagreement over FIFA’s commercial strategy remains unresolved, but Al-Khelaifi’s withdrawal from contention means UEFA must now look elsewhere for a challenger ahead of the 2027 election.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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