Aleksander Čeferin, the current UEFA president, has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in office. The Slovenian leader made the announcement during a meeting in Berlin with national association leaders. Čeferin was first elected as UEFA president in 2016 and has been serving a third term, which is set to end in 2027. His decision to seek re-election comes after UEFA confirmed that he intends to stand for re-election.
Čeferin's eligibility to stand for a fourth term is a result of changes to UEFA's statutes approved at its 2024 Congress in Paris. The amendments to the presidential term-limit rules proved controversial, with the Football Association opposing the changes. After the alterations were approved, Čeferin initially stated that he would not stand for re-election. However, he has now agreed to pursue another four years in office.
Čeferin's potential fourth term comes at a significant moment for European football, particularly as UEFA continues to challenge FIFA over governance and leadership. Čeferin has already ruled himself out of challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, but his continued leadership at UEFA could provide stability as the organization pushes for reforms at world football's governing body.
UEFA has expressed concerns about FIFA's leadership and is seeking changes to the organization's governance structure. In a statement issued on Thursday, UEFA said its national associations had lost confidence in the current FIFA leadership and called for a change at the top. The statement emphasized the need for a respected and unifying figure, deeply rooted in football, with the vision and experience to lead.
Beyond calling for new leadership, UEFA has formally requested reforms to FIFA's institutional governance. The proposals include a clearer separation of powers, stronger ethical oversight and auditing procedures, and protections for FIFA Forward development funding as an entitlement for member associations. The push reflects UEFA's broader concerns about accountability, transparency, and the independence of football's governing institutions.
Although there had been speculation that Thursday's meeting in Berlin could produce agreement around a candidate to challenge Infantino, no candidate emerged from the discussions. The deadline for candidates to be submitted for the FIFA presidency is November 18. UEFA sources have indicated confidence that a candidate will be identified before that date.
For now, Čeferin's decision to seek another term at UEFA sets up a leadership vote in April 2027 while the governing body continues its campaign for changes at FIFA. Čeferin said in a statement that he wants to thank the national associations for their trust and that his ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make their game stronger, and leave UEFA ready for the next generation.
Key points
- Aleksander Čeferin will seek a fourth term as UEFA president, with the election scheduled for April 22, 2027.
- UEFA has expressed concerns about FIFA's leadership and is seeking changes to the organization's governance structure.
- Čeferin's continued leadership at UEFA could provide stability as the organization pushes for reforms at world football's governing body.
