Ramon Vega challenges Infantino and seeks to reform FIFA

In a conference room in Zürich, 55‑year‑old Swiss Ramon Vega announced on Wednesday 7 October 2026 that he is standing for election to the FIFA presidency, with an election scheduled for March 2027, to reform the global football family after criticism of Infantino.

Vega’s reform agenda

Vega, a former professional footballer who now works in the financial sector, wants to implement “real and sustainable reforms”, modernise FIFA for the 21st century and restore trust. He states in an official statement that “football does not belong to presidents, associations or administrators”. His vision includes stability, credibility and unity within the sport.

In 2015 Vega tried to succeed Sepp Blatter and would have faced Infantino four years later, but lacked the support to get on the ballot. Now, more than ten years later, he is taking the step again, backed by his experience in both sport and finance.

Swiss association withdraws support

The Swiss football association has announced that they no longer support Gianni Infantino in the presidential election, a decision that follows the Belgian KBVB and other European federations. Chairman Peter Knäbel declared that “various events raise fundamental questions about leadership, governance, transparency and decision‑making processes within FIFA”.

Knäbel referred to Infantino’s now‑withdrawn plan to sell a portion of the World Cup football to private investors, and to the case concerning the rescinded suspension of American striker Folaris Balogun during last summer’s World Cup tournament against the Red Devils. He emphasized that “weak governance has damaged FIFA’s credibility”.

The first deadline for submitting candidacies runs until 18 November, and so far Infantino remains the only official candidate after all other potential challengers have not registered. Vega hopes this will constitute the first serious challenge for the Swiss president of the world governing body.

The overview on the website lists, among other things, Football, Tennis, Formula 1, Basketball and Cyclo‑cross, as well as the Jupiler Pro League, Challenger Pro League, Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. More details can be found in the full Article, which also includes a Programme of upcoming matches.

With Vega’s candidacy and the withdrawal of Swiss support for Infantino, a new chapter emerges in which FIFA is under pressure to implement fundamental reforms. The coming months will determine whether the global football family is truly reunited.