Ceferin confirms final UEFA election bid as Europe presses FIFA reforms

Aleksander Ceferin will seek another term as UEFA president after accepting a unanimous request from Europe's 55 national associations to reconsider his planned departure. UEFA announced on Thursday that he intends to stand at its congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 22 April 2027, describing the proposed term as his final one.

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The announcement reverses the position Ceferin set out in February 2024. BBC Sport reported that the Slovenian, first elected in 2016, had previously ruled out running again amid a dispute over changes to UEFA's statutes that allowed a fourth term. His decision to stand again had nevertheless become increasingly expected within European football.

Ceferin informed national association presidents and general secretaries of his decision at their meeting in Berlin. UEFA said those associations had spent recent months urging him to remain in office beyond 2027, with other stakeholders also offering support. The meeting addressed both the European body's leadership and the future direction of FIFA.

UEFA's published reform proposals call for clearer divisions of authority within FIFA, including a president who provides leadership and chairs the council without taking on management duties. They also envisage a stronger council and defined executive responsibilities for the bureau. A further meeting of Europe's national associations is planned before 17 November 2026.

BBC Sport reported that UEFA and 54 of its member associations, with Azerbaijan the exception, backed the reform direction. The broadcaster said the push followed opposition to Gianni Infantino's abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Ceferin has ruled out challenging Infantino personally but remains committed to finding an alternative candidate.

That search remains unresolved ahead of FIFA's March presidential election. According to BBC Sport, potential contender Victor Montagliani has told colleagues he intends to seek a final term leading Concacaf instead; he had never confirmed a FIFA bid. The BBC reported that no confirmed challenger had emerged and that prospective candidates face an 18 November deadline.