Montagliani to seek Concacaf re-election, ruling out Fifa presidency bid, reports say

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has told colleagues he will seek re-election at the confederation, according to The Guardian, ESPN and the BBC. That would rule him out of standing against Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency.

Montagliani, 61, is Canadian. He had been widely seen as a potential challenger to Infantino. According to the BBC and ESPN, he never formally confirmed that he would run for Fifa's top job. Both outlets say he will seek a final term at Concacaf.

The Guardian first reported his plans. ESPN said its own sources confirmed them. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include an on-the-record statement from Montagliani or Concacaf. They also do not include any response from Infantino or Fifa.

Infantino is seeking re-election in March. Fifa has 211 member associations. The deadline for candidacy submissions is 18 November. According to The Guardian, the vote will take place on 18 March in Rabat. ESPN reported that Infantino was increasingly confident of securing the 106 votes required.

In Berlin, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin told Uefa's 55 member associations that he will stand for a fourth term. In February 2024 he said he would not. Ceferin was first elected in 2016. Uefa's statutes were changed in a way that allowed a fourth term. According to the BBC, Ceferin has ruled out standing against Infantino himself.

At the Berlin meeting, Uefa and its national associations, except Azerbaijan, backed a framework for Fifa reform. The framework was made public. According to the BBC, it has 14 points. They include reducing some direct powers of the Fifa president and barring the use of Fifa resources for personal or electoral interests. The BBC also reported that the plan calls for at least $10m in extra funding for each member association.

According to ESPN, Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all publicly voiced opposition to Infantino. Infantino abandoned a plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors after widespread opposition. According to ESPN, the plan aimed to raise $20bn. The Guardian reported that Fifa's council will meet in Zurich next Thursday, and that the three confederation presidents are expected to demand an independent review of the plan.

Former Switzerland and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to challenge Infantino.

What is disputed

• The Guardian reported that Montagliani told Concacaf staff at a town hall meeting late last month. ESPN reported that he told fellow officials at a workshop earlier this month. These may be separate occasions.
• According to ESPN, Vega's lack of an active football role in at least two of the past five years will prevent him from standing. The BBC reported that it is unclear whether he can obtain the five letters of support needed to get on the ballot.

What each side says

• Uefa, in a statement quoted by the BBC: "Institutional reform will not, on its own, be enough." It said Fifa needs "a respected and unifying figure" as leader.
• Ceferin, as quoted by the BBC: "My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave Uefa ready for the next generation."
• Vega has said he intends to stand against Infantino.
• The reports reviewed by Vocemundi include no response from Infantino or Fifa.

Analysis

If the reports are accurate, the most prominent potential challenger to Infantino is out of the race. Uefa says Fifa needs new leadership, but the reports do not identify any candidate it backs. With the 18 November deadline approaching, several scenarios remain open. A consensus challenger could still emerge. Vega's bid could proceed or fail on eligibility grounds. Infantino could face little or no opposition. Uefa's reform framework could also shape debate at the Fifa council regardless of who stands. The outcome will depend partly on how the 211 member associations weigh governance concerns against other priorities.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.