FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, does impose term limits on its president. Under the organization’s current statutes, the FIFA President can serve a maximum of three four-year terms, limiting any individual to 12 years in office under normal circumstances.
However, the application of those rules has become a topic of discussion because of current FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is expected to seek another term in 2027 despite first taking office in 2016.
What Are FIFA’s Presidential Term Limits?
FIFA’s governance rules establish the following limits for the office of president:
- Presidential terms last four years.
- A president may serve a maximum of three terms.
- The maximum time in office is generally 12 years.
- The three-term limit applies regardless of whether the terms are consecutive.
These limits were introduced as part of FIFA’s governance reforms following the corruption scandals that rocked the organization in 2015.
Why Can Gianni Infantino Run Again?
At first glance, it appears that Gianni Infantino has already served three terms after being elected in:
- 2016
- 2019
- 2023
However, FIFA considers his first period in office—from February 2016 through 2019—to be a partial term. Infantino was elected to complete the remainder of former president Sepp Blatter’s cycle after Blatter resigned.
Under FIFA’s interpretation, that partial term does not count toward the three-term limit.
As a result, FIFA counts his service as:
- 2019–2023: First full counted term
- 2023–2027: Second full counted term
- 2027–2031: Potential third and final counted term
That interpretation allows Infantino to seek re-election at the 2027 FIFA Congress.
When Could Gianni Infantino Leave Office?
If Infantino wins another election in 2027, his presidency would likely continue through 2031.
At that point, he would have completed three full four-year terms under FIFA’s interpretation of its statutes, making him ineligible to seek another full term unless FIFA’s rules are changed.
Why FIFA Introduced Term Limits
FIFA adopted presidential term limits as part of a broad package of governance reforms approved after the corruption investigations that led to the departures of several senior officials, including former president Sepp Blatter.
The reforms were designed to:
- Increase accountability within FIFA leadership.
- Prevent presidents from remaining in office indefinitely.
- Improve transparency and governance across the organization.
How FIFA Compares With Other Sports Organizations
Many international sports governing bodies have adopted some form of leadership term limits, although their rules vary considerably.
For example:
- FIFA: Three four-year presidential terms.
- International Olympic Committee (IOC): Separate presidential term structure with renewable terms.
- FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile): Removed presidential term limits in 2026 following a vote by its member clubs.
Each organization establishes its own governance rules, meaning leadership limits are not standardized across international sports.
FAQ
Do FIFA Presidents have term limits?
Yes. FIFA limits its president to three four-year terms, generally allowing a maximum of 12 years in office.
How long is a FIFA presidential term?
Each presidential term lasts four years.
Why can Gianni Infantino run again in 2027?
FIFA does not count his 2016–2019 service as a full term because he completed the remainder of Sepp Blatter’s presidency after Blatter resigned.
When could Gianni Infantino’s presidency end?
If re-elected in 2027, Infantino’s current eligibility would allow him to serve until 2031, when he would reach FIFA’s three-term limit under the organization’s interpretation of its statutes.