FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he will run for re-election as head of soccer’s global governing body.
Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Moscow on the eve of the World Cup, the Swiss-Italian said he would present his candidacy for elections taking place in Paris in June 2019. Infantino was elected to the post in February 2016.
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“I want another four years of it because I believe in what I do,” Infantino said after the congress. “I believe in what I can do for FIFA and for football.”
Infantino said his tenure had seen a significant improvement in the organisation’s finances.
“I feel as well a lot of support from many around the world who want to see a strong FIFA, who want to see a FIFA who is present, a FIFA who is helping to address their issues about football development,” he added.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the congress voted to grant the 2026 World Cup to a joint bit by Canada, the United States and Mexico. Morocco lost the bidding process for a fifth time.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier on Wednesday, the congress voted to grant the 2026 World Cup to a joint bit by Canada, the United States and Mexico. Morocco lost the bidding process for a fifth time.
{{/usCountry}}The 2026 event will be the first expanded tournament featuring 48 teams, up from the current 32-team tournament, which begins on Thursday.
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Russia is hosting this year’s tournament from June 14 to July 15 in 11 cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi.