UEFA officials convened in Salzburg earlier this month to strategize on finding a candidate to challenge Gianni Infantino at the upcoming FIFA Congress in March. Among the potential contenders is Salman, who previously came close to defeating Infantino in the 2016 election.

Growing Discontent with Infantino

The discontent with Infantino has escalated beyond mere threats of World Cup boycotts, as UEFA seeks a viable opponent for the FIFA presidency. President Aleksander Ceferin has indicated his readiness to initiate a no-confidence vote against Infantino should the current president refuse to step down. Three names have emerged as possible challengers: Salman, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of the European Club Association and head of Paris Saint-Germain.

Salman's Previous Challenge

Salman’s name has resurfaced due to his past performance in the FIFA presidential election. In February 2016, he lost to Infantino in a runoff, securing 88 votes compared to Infantino's 115. This election marked the first contested FIFA presidential runoff since 1974. Salman has been at the helm of the Asian Football Confederation since 2013 and serves as a senior vice-president at FIFA. He has criticized Infantino's failed initiative to sell World Cup commercial rights to private investors, labeling it as “totally unacceptable.”

Challenges in Securing Votes

To initiate a no-confidence vote, 43 out of FIFA’s 211 members are required to support the motion. While UEFA's 55 associations could theoretically meet this requirement, the reality is that confederations do not guarantee votes from their members. Each of FIFA's 211 associations votes independently, and Infantino previously garnered support from all continents, including UEFA, in the 2016 election.

Recent shifts in leadership within UEFA, CONCACAF, and parts of the AFC have seen increased opposition to Infantino, particularly following the collapse of his commercial plan. All 41 CONCACAF members rejected the proposal, and CAF president Patrice Motsepe has advocated for a traditional election process rather than a no-confidence vote, stating, “If you want to take him out, go for elections. Let the 211 member associations decide.”

Montagliani has been identified as a leading candidate by outlets such as BBC Sport and ESPN, particularly given his role in orchestrating the North American bid for the 2026 World Cup. However, he has yet to publicly declare his intention to run. Al-Khelaifi also remains a name of interest in discussions surrounding potential challengers.