Gianni Infantino has found himself surrounded by another controversy as he faces a formal challenge over his eligibility to seek another term as FIFA president. Advocacy group FairSquare has asked FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee to rule the 56-year-old ineligible for next year’s election. The organisation argues that Infantino is already serving his third and final term because his initial period in office should count towards the three-term limit. If allowed to contest the election and win, the FIFA president could remain in charge until 2031. Meanwhile, the Scottish FA has withdrawn its support for his re-election, citing concerns over FIFA’s lack of transparency and consultation, particularly surrounding a controversial proposal involving World Cup commercial rights.

The dispute centres on a 2022 FIFA Council decision that excluded Infantino’s 2016-2019 period from his term count because he had initially completed Sepp Blatter’s interrupted mandate. FairSquare has challenged that interpretation, arguing that FIFA’s statutes do not create an exception for incomplete terms. Its letter states, “We are writing to request that you rule Mr. Infantino ineligible to run again for the FIFA Presidency on the basis that he is already serving his third and final term.” The group also argued, “Neither the FIFA Statutes nor the FIFA Governance Regulations make any provision for a presidential term to be discounted because it did not last for the maximum period of four years.” It further warned that “In view of Mr Infantino’s various abuses of power and the failure of the FIFA Council to hold him to account, such a scenario is plausible.”

“The lack of transparency and consultation was not acceptable”: Scottish FA withdraws Gianni Infantino support amidst controversy surrounding FIFA’s 2026 commercial rights 

The Scottish Football Association’s decision to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election has added another layer to the growing controversy surrounding the FIFA president. The SFA’s move comes as Infantino faces a separate formal challenge over his eligibility to contest the 2027 FIFA presidential election. While FairSquare has questioned whether his first term should count towards FIFA’s three-term limit, Scotland’s concerns focus on governance, transparency and the lack of consultation over FIFA’s controversial proposal involving World Cup commercial rights. The two developments have increased scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership as he seeks another term.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell explained why the association changed its position. “We were not aware of the proposal until it was reported in the media and that was concerning to us.” He added, “The lack of transparency and the lack of consultation with the member associations was not acceptable.” The proposal, which involved selling a stake in a company holding World Cup commercial rights to private investors, was eventually abandoned following opposition. Scotland’s decision therefore connects directly to the wider governance concerns surrounding Infantino. It comes as FairSquare separately argues that he should be ruled ineligible, stating, “We are writing to request that you rule Mr. Infantino ineligible to run again for the FIFA Presidency on the basis that he is already serving his third and final term.” Together, the developments could increase pressure on Infantino ahead of the election.