Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will stand for re-election to a third full term as president of FIFA next year, following an awkward diplomatic moment at the organisation’s 76th Congress in Vancouver. The incident unfolded when Infantino attempted to stage a symbolic handshake between Jibril Rajoub and Basim Sheikh Suliman.
Rajoub declined to take part, resulting in a visibly uncomfortable scene in front of delegates and underlining the deep political tensions that continue to intersect with international football.
Infantino pressed ahead with his announcement regardless, confirming what had long been expected within the sport. The election is set to take place at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, where he is widely anticipated to face little or no opposition. First elected in 2016 following the scandal that brought an end to Sepp Blatter’s tenure, Infantino has since overseen changes to FIFA statutes so that only full terms count towards the three-term limit. The amendment could allow him to remain in office for up to 15 years.
In recent years, Infantino has increasingly sought to present himself as an international statesman, including the creation of a FIFA peace prize, which he awarded to Donald Trump. However, the failed attempt at a show of unity in Vancouver served as a reminder of the limits of football diplomacy in the face of entrenched geopolitical conflict.