Italian-Swiss lawyer Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as FIFA president for another four years after standing unopposed at the congress of world football’s governing body on Thursday.
The 52-year-old was confirmed in office by acclamation at a rally in Rwanda’s capital Kigali on Thursday, March 15, 2023.
Infantino initially took over the remaining term of his suspended predecessor, Joseph Blatter, in 2016, making it his first re-election. That means he can run for another term in 2027 until 2031, according to FIFA statutes.
“Let me simply thank all of you,” Infantino told delegates after being confirmed by a standing ovation at the 73rd FIFA Congress, where the voting system did not register the number of dissident voices.
“Those who love me, you are many, and the few who hate me, I love you all…Being FIFA president is a big honour and privilege but also a huge responsibility. You can continue to trust on my commitment”, he added.
At the event Infantino announced projected revenue of $11 billion over the four years to 2026, compared to $7.5 billion over the last four-year cycle ending in 2022.
As a reminder, the Men’s World Cup will grow from 32 teams to 48 for the next edition in North America in 2026, while the Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
FIFA-Gianni Infantino re-elected for four more years
