FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to win another term in the role

Gianni Infantino is about to win another term as FIFA president after gaining the support of 200 countries.

The Swiss-Italian was elected president of world football’s governing body in 2016, but his term is now up for renewal.

Infantino was unopposed in the leadership race and was supported by 200 of the 209 member associations.

It is clear that 52 European countries supported Infantino in extending his tenure, interesting given the tensions between himself and UEFA president Aleksandr Ceferin.

Infantino’s new term at the helm of FIFA is expected to be ratified at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 16, 2023.

Since starting in this role six years ago, Infantino has overseen a World Cup in Russia in 2018.

The following year, he accepted Vladimir Putin’s Order of Friendship medal.

The second World Cup of his presidency kicks off on Sunday, with hosts Qatar facing Ecuador in the opening game.

Infantino has called for a ‘World Cup ceasefire’ during the tournament following the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February.

Should Infantino earn another term as president, he will be at the helm for the next World Cup in 2026, which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the US.

The tournament will be the first tournament in World Cup history to feature 48 teams, a decision made by the FIFA Council in January 2017 shortly after Infantino took office as president.