"Do you regret it?" Asked, but he stayed silent! Infantino, who split the football world in two, pushes ahead with a fourth term, mocking global calls for his resignation

*This content was translated by AI.

Gianni Infantino (56), president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), reaffirmed his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term despite mounting pressure to resign.

On the 6th (local time), FIFA issued a statement confirming that In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) has no change in plans to run in the 2027 presidential election. If successful, his term would be extended until 2031.

Recently, In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) faced global backlash after attempting to sell a 20% stake in FIFA-organized tournaments, including the World Cup, to private funds—a move dubbed "privatization of the World Cup." Although the plan was withdrawn, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) demanded his resignation.

In particular, UEFA hinted at the possibility of boycotting FIFA tournaments and filing criminal charges against him for breach of trust in Swiss courts. Additionally, football associations from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland publicly withdrew their support.

Despite the shaky ground he now stands on, In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) continues to maintain support from African and South American football confederations. In response, UEFA is searching for a candidate to challenge Infantino's leadership, with Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF president, emerging as a leading alternative. To be elected as the next president, a candidate must secure support from at least 106 of FIFA's 211 member nations.

Registration for candidates in the upcoming presidential election closes on November 18, with the main vote scheduled for March next year.

Meanwhile, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held in Poland on the 5th, In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) was asked whether he regretted the chaotic situation over the past six weeks. He responded, "I have many things to say, but there will be an appropriate time and place to discuss them," avoiding a specific answer.

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*This content was translated by AI.