European Leagues chief says Gianni Infantino has 'No Future' at FIFA ahead of election
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition ahead of the 2027 election, with European Leagues questioning his future and calling for changes in football’s leadership
Gianni Infantino’s grip on world football is facing its most severe structural threat yet, as Europe’s top domestic leagues officially declare that the FIFA president has run out of runway.
In a latest update, European Leagues President Claudius Schaefer has launched a scathing critique of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating plainly that "there is no future at FIFA for Infantino".
European Leagues president Claudius Schaefer expressed these latest remarks stressing the importance of reforming world football’s governing body and the responsibilities of its boss.
In an interview with The Athletic published on Wednesday, Schaefer said European Leagues, which represents 53 professional men’s and women’s football leagues, was deeply concerned about Infantino’s leadership.
As reported, Infantino is facing mounting pressure from multiple confederations—including UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF with regional bodies even weighing a potential vote of no confidence.
Schaefer pointed to unilateral decisions such as the controversial awarding of an inaugural FIFA peace prize to U.S. President Donald Trump without consulting the FIFA Council—as potential breaches of Swiss association law.
Criticism was also leveled at unprecedented sporting-political clashes during the World Cup, including a high-profile intervention involving a player disciplinary matter.
Prominent current and former players have similarly joined the chorus demanding structural change.
Despite Infantino reportedly gearing up to seek a fourth term in the upcoming elections, Schaefer insisted that real institutional reform in world football "can only happen with another president".
