Montagliani, the 61-year-old Canadian who has led Concacaf since 2016, informed colleagues at an internal town hall this week that he will run for another term at the regional body instead of entering the FIFA presidential race. Canadian Soccer Daily reported the FIFA vice-president had emerged as “a potential alternative for critics seeking a change at FIFA” before stepping back.

His exit matters because Aleksander Ceferin already ruled himself out in August, telling reporters his “credibility is much, much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position”. Together, the two confederation leaders most often floated as reformist challengers have taken themselves out of the race.

UEFA’s wanted ad

European football’s governing body went public on Thursday with the profile it is looking for, publishing a short list of qualities any approved candidate should meet.

UEFA said FIFA needs “a respected and unifying figure, deeply rooted in football, with the vision and experience to lead, the ability to command confidence across regions, and an unequivocal commitment to development, reform, integrity and independence”, according to the Associated Press.

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The president, UEFA added, should “represent FIFA globally and provide leadership without exercising management functions”.

Officials signalled the next challenger may not be European, given the need to win support across a global voter pool. Each of FIFA’s 211 member associations casts its own ballot, and confederations can lobby but do not deliver their members’ votes as a bloc.

Vega stands alone

Ramon Vega, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender, is so far the only declared candidate. He launched his bid this week, his second attempt after his 2019 effort fell short of the five national-federation nominations required to appear on the ballot.

He faces the same arithmetic problem again. Vega must secure backing from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member federations before the November 18 nomination deadline.

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Infantino tightens his grip

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, is now set for a vote with no high-profile challenger of his own confederation stature.

Montagliani is still expected to work with Ceferin and AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa on a reform package aimed at trimming the FIFA presidency’s powers. UEFA’s proposal includes a rule that “no FIFA resources may be used for personal or electoral interests”, a direct response to criticism of how the body has been run under the current leadership.

The nomination window closes on November 18. The FIFA Congress will vote on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.

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