According to French newspaper L’Equipe, UEFA is contemplating launching a rival candidate to Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. Răzvan Burleanu, the president of the Romanian Football Federation, is reportedly on the shortlist. The Guardian mentions that a decision on the candidate might be made as early as next week.
Time is running short, with less than three weeks remaining until the deadline for announcing candidates for the FIFA presidency on November 18.
Infantino, who has held the position since 2016, has already declared his intention to run for another term in the spring of next year. UEFA plans to oppose him.
L’Equipe: Burleanu Considered for FIFA Presidency
L’Equipe reports that UEFA and its allies are close to identifying their opponent to Infantino, aiming to reveal the candidate’s identity as near to the deadline as possible to thwart any potential sabotage attempts from FIFA’s leadership.
Among the names floated is Arsene Wenger, the legendary former Arsenal coach, currently FIFA’s chief of global football development. However, it is unlikely he will represent UEFA.
Alongside Burleanu, other candidates mentioned include Sandor Csanyi, president of the Hungarian Football Federation since 2010, and Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee and former head of the Portuguese Football Federation from 2011 to 2025.
Csanyi, who also serves as UEFA’s treasurer and is one of FIFA’s eight vice-presidents, is 73 years old.
Burleanu, described as the “ambitious president of the Romanian Football Federation and FIFA Council member,” was also considered a potential candidate for the UEFA elections in 2027, prior to Aleksander Ceferin’s announcement that he would run for re-election.
The Guardian reiterates that the final choice of candidate could be reached next week.
