FairSquare challenges Gianni Infantino's eligibility for another FIFA term

On August 17, 2026, the human rights organization FairSquare formally requested that FIFA's Governance and Review Committee prevent Gianni Infantino from running for a further term as president. The organization argues that Infantino has already served his maximum allowed limit of three terms, and any future candidacy would violate the federation's statutes.

Infantino assumed the presidency in 2016 following the resignation of Sepp Blatter due to corruption scandals. In 2022, FIFA’s committee ruled that the period between 2016 and 2019 should not count toward his term limit, as it was considered the completion of his predecessor's unexpired mandate. FairSquare is now explicitly challenging this interpretation, asserting that the FIFA statute is clear in its prohibition against anyone serving more than three terms in total. Furthermore, the NGO contends that allowing this exception undermines the spirit of the 2016 transparency and anti-corruption reforms that were intended to restore institutional integrity.

As of now, the request is pending before the governing body, which must determine whether the 2016-2019 period should remain excluded or if the current administration's interpretation contradicts the constitutional mandates of the organization.