4 candidates to succeed Infantino at FIFA.

Pressure is increasing on Swiss Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Football Federation (FIFA), following the controversy surrounding the proposal related to the federation's media rights, which has faced widespread criticism from several continental federations.

Infantino announced today, Saturday, that he is retracting the new investment plans, which included selling the media rights of the international federation, along with granting each member national federation a financial reward of $20 million in September, following objections led by continental federations, primarily the European Football Association (UEFA) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

The proposal sparked disputes within the corridors of the international federation, prompting some national federations, including the Dutch and Danish federations, to publicly criticize Infantino, in a development that has brought the discussion about the future presidency of FIFA back to the forefront.

In this context, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reviewed the prominent figures who may emerge in any future race for the presidency of the International Football Federation, led by Canadian Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF.

Montagliani has been president of CONCACAF since 2016, is the former president of the Canadian Football Association, and played a significant role in Canada's bid to host the 2026 World Cup. He is also known for his opposition to holding the World Cup every two years and did not support the proposal to expand the tournament to 64 teams.

The name of Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, also stands out, as he has led the federation since 2013 and was re-elected for a fourth term extending until 2027. During his presidency, the Asian federation's competitions have seen a series of reforms, including the introduction of new tournaments and the development of the AFC Champions League, along with the launch of the AFC Women's Champions League.

Also among the proposed names is Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and the European Clubs Association, who has strengthened the association's presence following the European Super League crisis and successfully expanded its membership significantly. However, a source close to him confirmed, according to the BBC, that he does not wish to run for the FIFA presidency.

The list also includes Matthias Grafström, the Secretary General of FIFA since 2024, who is viewed as one of the prominent executives within FIFA. However, his closeness to Infantino, along with discussions about the desire of several federations for the next presidency to be held by someone from outside Europe, may reduce his chances.