Gianni Infantino faces FIFA exit as search for new president begins

Mounting pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sparked intense speculation regarding his future, with potential successors already emerging to lead world football’s governing body.

The 54-year-old has faced increasing scrutiny following a highly controversial World Cup commercial rights proposal.

His departure is now widely considered to be a matter of time by senior administrative figures within the sport.

Early frontrunners emerge for presidency

Victor Montagliani, the current president of CONCACAF, is viewed as the leading candidate to take charge.

The 60-year-old Canadian could face competition from FIFA general secretary Mattias Granstrom and Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

Sheikh Salman previously ran against the incumbent leader during the 2016 election, suffering a narrow defeat.

A legacy of controversy

The Swiss-Italian administrator originally assumed office in February 2016 after replacing Sepp Blatter.

Former Football Association chairman Greg Dyke praised the incoming leader at the time of his initial election.

“He is not a politician and he is not an ego. He is the type of person who will just get on with the job.”

However, critics argue the current regime has ultimately mirrored the autocratic style of previous administrations.

Calls for a footballing figurehead

There is a growing movement suggesting the organisation should move away from career administrators in favour of a former player acting as a figurehead.

The current president did establish the FIFA Legends scheme to integrate renowned former professionals into promotional activities.

However, previous attempts to install ex-players in global governance roles have yielded mixed results.

Michel Platini’s tenure as UEFA president famously ended in scandal, highlighting the potential risks of appointing high-profile sporting figures to complex executive roles.