Aleksander Čeferin accepts unanimous request from Europe’s 55 national associations to seek final term as UEFA President

Meeting in Berlin, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin announced to the presidents and general secretaries of all 55 UEFA national associations that he would stand for a final term and continue leading the organisation beyond 2027. Over recent months, they had unanimously asked him to reconsider his previous decision not to seek re-election. Mr Čeferin has now agreed to do so and confirmed his intention to stand for re-election at the 51st UEFA Ordinary Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 22 April 2027. His decision also follows expressions of support and encouragement from other stakeholders across European football.

“I want to thank the national associations for their trust. We have faced extraordinary challenges over the past years, and we have faced them as one team. There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request. My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave UEFA ready for the next generation. I am also deeply grateful to my family. This decision asks a great deal of them too, and I could not have taken it without their understanding and support”.

The meeting also focused on the future governance and leadership of FIFA.

Having demanded fundamental change over recent months, UEFA and all national associations (with the exception of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan) agreed on a clear direction for FIFA reform.

The reform proposals supported in Berlin are set out in the annex to this release.

The national associations reiterated that they have lost confidence in the current FIFA leadership. Institutional reform will not, on its own, be enough. FIFA also needs new leadership: 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.

Discussions on reform and the future leadership of FIFA will continue among UEFA’s national associations and with their counterparts across world football.

A further meeting of UEFA’s 55 national associations will be held before 17 November 2026.

ANNEX – PROPOSALS FOR FIFA REFORM

As endorsed in Berlin on 8 October 2026

1. Institutional governance:

Separation of powers: 

Congress, Council, Bureau, President and GS exercise their own powers. No individual can bypass another’s role. Responsibilities and decision-making must be clear and transparent.

An empowered Bureau:

The FIFA Bureau exercises defined executive powers, ensuring decisions reflect football’s global balance.

A reinforced FIFA Council 

Sets FIFA’s direction, involves key stakeholders and shapes major proposals before commitments are made.

Fit-for-purpose Committees

Committees should be streamlined to ensure clear purpose and added value

A President who leads, not manages:

The President chairs the Council, represents FIFA globally and provides leadership without exercising management functions.

An accountable General Secretary:

Appointed and supervised by the Bureau, the GS runs FIFA’s administration under Council oversight.

2. Decision-making, oversight and accountability

Stronger ethics, disciplinary, audit & compliance:

Appointments and work of FIFA’s oversight bodies are protected from presidential or executive interference.

No unilateral decision on the International Match Calendar & FIFA competitions:

Changes to the IMC and FIFA competitions – new or existing – require Bureau unanimity.

Member Association right to put items before the FIFA Council: 

A defined number of MAs can require a matter to be placed on the FIFA Council agenda.

A clear process for major decisions: 

Consultation → Bureau → Council → Decision. Major proposals must follow each required step before a decision is taken.

3. Development and FIFA resources

MA-led development support:

Each MA defines its needs with its Confederation. FIFA provides the funding; Confederations support delivery.

FIFA Forward funding as a protected MA entitlement:

Every compliant MA is entitled to its Forward allocation, through a transparent distribution framework and protected from political interference.

FIFA reserves policy & release: 

A formal and transparent policy governing the level, investment and use of FIFA’s financial reserves, with at least $10m additional funding for every MA, on top of Forward.

FIFA resources for FIFA purposes:

No FIFA resources may be used for personal or electoral interests.