Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) who previously faced a threat of ouster due to fierce backlash from the football world over a plan to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to private investors, now has a clear path toward securing another term.

The British daily newspaper The Guardian reported today (Korean time) that "CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has conveyed to his staff his intention to run for re-election," adding that "this decision eliminates the possibility of Montagliani running in the upcoming FIFA presidential election."

The outlet added, "Montagliani, a former Canadian businessman, is known to have communicated this to most of the 41 member associations in the North, Central American and Caribbean region."

Montagliani had long been considered a strong potential challenger to Infantino for the next FIFA presidency.

In particular, Montagliani enjoyed strong support among UEFA member associations, who recognized that a European candidate would struggle to defeat President Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election.

However, Montagliani reportedly expressed his desire to continue serving as CONCACAF president during a town hall meeting with CONCACAF staff last month.

Since the CONCACAF presidential election is scheduled to take place ahead of the FIFA presidential election next March, this is interpreted as Montagliani clarifying his stance to his staff.

Meanwhile, UEFA is also holding its presidential election next year, and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin recently formalized his intention to seek re-election, naturally removing key figures who had been viewed as rivals to FIFA President Infantino.

With the candidate registration deadline for the upcoming FIFA presidential election set for November 18, the absence of prominent challengers opens up the possibility that President Infantino could secure re-election without a contest.

Regarding this, ESPN reported that "Ramon Vega, a former Swiss national team defender, has expressed his intention to challenge President Infantino, but he may struggle to meet the eligibility requirements for candidacy as he has not been actively involved in football for at least two of the past five years."

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