Former Spurs defender Ramon Vega launches FIFA presidency bid to challenge Gianni Infantino in 2027 vote
Ex-Switzerland defender Ramon Vega is the first to declare against Gianni Infantino. He needs five member associations' backing by 18 November.
Former Switzerland and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has announced he will stand against Gianni Infantino in next year's FIFA presidential election, becoming the first person to publicly challenge the sitting president.
Vega, 55, set out his plans in an 11-page document released on Wednesday. He still needs the backing of member associations before he can get on the ballot, and the deadline is 18 November.
Who is Ramon Vega?
Vega was a centre-back who won 23 caps for Switzerland and played in England and Scotland for Tottenham, Watford and Celtic. Since retiring in 2004 he has worked mainly in finance.
This is not his first attempt to run for the FIFA presidency. He looked at a bid after Sepp Blatter's departure in 2015 and has tried again in later election cycles, including 2022, but has never secured enough nominations to reach the ballot.
What he is promising
In his manifesto, Vega calls for fundamental reform of FIFA rather than what he describes as cosmetic changes. He says he wants to restore trust and credibility, bring stability, modernise governance and reunite the global football family.
He argues that football belongs to players, fans, clubs and communities rather than administrators, and criticises the current leadership's handling of FIFA's governance. Vega says member associations are now more open to change than when he last tried to stand.
Pressure on Infantino
Infantino has faced growing criticism since the summer. In July, a plan emerged to create a commercial subsidiary that would control FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup, with outside investors taking a minority stake. UEFA led the backlash and threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, and the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also opposed the proposal. Infantino dropped it within days.
UEFA has since said it has no confidence in Infantino's leadership and would try to block his re-election. Last week the Swiss Football Association, from Infantino's own country, also withdrew its support, citing concerns about transparency and accountability. Infantino has said he remains committed to leading FIFA.
How a candidate gets on the ballot
Under FIFA rules, a candidate must be nominated by at least five of FIFA's 211 member associations, with one formally proposing them. Candidates must also have been active in football for two of the previous five years and pass an eligibility check by FIFA.
The election is due at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027. Each member association, including the Football Association of Malaysia, has one vote. That means the views of Asian federations, and the AFC as a whole, could carry weight if the contest becomes competitive.
It remains unclear whether Vega will find the support he needs, or whether other candidates will come forward before November.
Key takeaways
- Ramon Vega, 55, is the first declared challenger to Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency.
- He needs nominations from at least five member associations by 18 November.
- The vote is scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
- Infantino has faced criticism from UEFA and others after a dropped plan to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial operations.
FAQ
Who is Ramon Vega? He is a former Switzerland international defender who played for Tottenham, Watford and Celtic and later worked in finance.
When is the next FIFA presidential election? It is scheduled for the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027.
What does a candidate need to stand for FIFA president? Support from at least five of FIFA's 211 member associations, a formal proposal from one of them, recent involvement in football and a passed eligibility check.
Sources: Malay Mail, Goal, Al Jazeera, Daily Beirut