The dispute between the two leaders has deepened in recent months due to various projects promoted by FIFA. Among them was the proposal to incorporate private financing into future World Cup competitions (FIFA Forward Enterprise), an initiative that sparked strong opposition and was ultimately abandoned. Čeferin even considered that project "worse even than the Super League".
The Slovenian also questioned the way Infantino responds to criticism coming from Europe and recalled that the current FIFA president is Swiss and came to the position with UEFA's backing. "Infantino is European, he is Swiss, and he was supported by UEFA to reach that position. Something that, unfortunately, he has forgotten", he pointed out. Despite the conflict, Čeferin acknowledged that he currently has no dialogue with Infantino. "Things change every day. Every day there are different conversations. I have not spoken to him", he assured.
The next FIFA elections will be held on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco, during the 77th Congress of the entity. Infantino himself has already expressed his intention to run for re-election. So far, the current head of world football has gone through his last two elections unopposed: in 2019 and 2023 he was the only candidate and was confirmed without the need for a vote among different options. For 2027, however, the scenario could be different and UEFA is looking to promote an alternative to the Swiss, although there is still no confirmed opposing candidacy.
