Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp called for an end to Gianni Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president on Sunday, stating that a leadership change would make a lot of sense ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
Speaking in Berlin at a press conference ahead of a UEFA Nations League fixture against the Netherlands, Klopp argued that the next candidate for the role must prioritize the game over financial interests. The former Liverpool manager said that he did not think conditions could deteriorate further following Sepp Blatter’s tenure, yet suggested that subsequent leadership had managed to do precisely that.
- Jürgen Klopp criticized Gianni Infantino’s presidency on Sunday ahead of Germany’s match against the Netherlands.
- Infantino remains the heavy favorite for re-election at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat.
- Kozo Tashima and Ramon Vega have emerged to challenge the incumbent, with candidacy submissions closing on November 18.
Klopp reflected on his years following the sport while addressing reporters in the German capital. “I have been following football for many years. There are people who know much more about this than me. But I think now most agree that a change would make a lot of sense,” he said, according to SI Mexico.
“I didn’t think things could get worse after Sepp Blatter, but someone has achieved exactly that,” Klopp added regarding the previous FIFA president. “As for Gianni Infantino, surely the next person who comes along can do a better job.”
Infantino has held the presidency since 2016 and faced intense scrutiny over various commercial proposals. These include initiatives to sell shares of the World Cup’s commercial rights and the introduction of a peace prize intended for former United States President Donald Trump.
“There are people who really care about the future of football, people who are not driven by economic interests,” Klopp said. “If someone like that were to step forward, if someone like that were to become president, I think it would be a significant improvement.”
Infantino stands as the clear favorite to secure another term during the upcoming FIFA congress, which is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat. A few challengers have confirmed their bids for the election.
Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced his intention to run against Infantino. Former Tottenham Swiss defender Ramon Vega also entered the race as the second challenger to declare his candidacy.
The official deadline for submitting presidential candidacies concludes on November 18. While Klopp declined to endorse specific figures for the ballot, he acknowledged external speculation.
“Surely there are people who care deeply about the future of football and who have no economic interests in it,” Klopp reiterated. When asked about potential successors, he remarked: “I’ve heard something about Arsène Wenger. I don’t know if it’s true or a lie, but he’s a good man.”
| Candidate / Figure | Role / Affiliation | Key Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gianni Infantino | FIFA President | Incumbent and favorite for the March 18, 2027 election |
| Kozo Tashima | Japan Football Association | Declared challenger |
| Ramon Vega | Former Tottenham defender | Declared challenger |
