The 2027 FIFA presidential election, which will determine whether Gianni Infantino secures a fourth four‑year term, is set to be held in Morocco. The congress, scheduled for 18 March 2027, will bring together representatives from FIFA’s 211 member federations, and Infantino is expected to run unopposed for a third consecutive re‑election since his initial victory in 2016.
Infantino addressed the assembled delegates on Thursday, describing his candidacy as “an honour and a humbling experience.” He confirmed his intention to seek another term, while FIFA’s financial position remains robust. Multi‑billion‑dollar reserves, bolstered by revenues from the 2026 World Cup in North America, enable the organisation to allocate at least US$8 million to each member federation during the current presidential term.
The election follows a pattern of African venues for FIFA’s highest‑level meetings. After the 2023 congress in Kigali, Rwanda, the 2027 assembly will be the second consecutive African event, reflecting the continent’s growing influence in global football governance. African federations, now 54 of the 211 members, have historically played a decisive role in presidential contests.
Support for Infantino has already been voiced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who pledged backing during a meeting in Vancouver, and by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Morocco’s rise as a football power under federation president Fouzi Lekjaa has coincided with increased collaboration with FIFA. The nation will co‑host the 2030 World Cup together with Spain and Portugal and plans to stage the final in a new 115,000‑seat stadium in Casablanca, with Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu also under consideration.
Since Lekjaa’s 12‑year tenure began, the Moroccan men’s team achieved a historic milestone by reaching the World Cup semi‑finals in 2022, the first African side to do so. The kingdom also secured a five‑year agreement to host the annual Under‑17 Women’s World Cup and recently organised the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that ended amid controversy over its final result.
Infantino’s potential fourth term would extend his presidency to 15 years, reaching FIFA’s statutory limit in 2031. The upcoming congress will not only decide the leadership of world football but also underscore Africa’s expanding role in the sport’s administration and event hosting.
