Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has announced his intention to run for FIFA president, becoming the first to confirm he will challenge Gianni Infantino in next year’s election. The 55-year-old former Switzerland international will need to be nominated by at least five member associations to get on the ballot in Rabat, making him just the latest name in a full list of FIFA presidents and incumbents.
Vega’s comments, first reported by BBC Sport, come as Infantino continues to resist calls to step down following the collapse of FIFA’s plan to sell its stake in the World Cup to private investors.
Key points
- 55-year-old Ramon Vega says he will be a candidate in the 2027 FIFA presidential elections.
- He is the first to confirm that he challenged Gianni Infantino.
- Vega played for Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic and Watford and played 23 games for Switzerland between 1993 and 2001.
- He tried to run for office in 2019, but failed to secure the five nominations needed to get on the ballot.
- Infantino has rejected calls to leave UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
What Ramon Vega said
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Vega said he was ready to reunite what he called the global football family, implement long-term reforms, modernize FIFA and restore confidence in the governing body. He argued that the game belongs to the players, coaches, referees, supporters and volunteers, not the people who run it.
Football does not belong to presidents, confederations, managers.
Ramon Vega
Vega has publicly criticized the current management, saying it is demoralizing the game and that poor management has damaged FIFA’s credibility around the world. He warned against managers allowing personal battles to damage the people who matter most in football and called for fundamental changes rather than cosmetic fixes.
Football is in the emergency room, on life support.
Ramon Vega
Who is Ramon Vega?
Vega is a former central defender who won 23 caps for Switzerland between 1993 and 2001. In Britain, he is best known for playing for Tottenham Hotspur and he has also played for Celtic and Watford. Since retiring from football in 2004, he has pursued a career in finance, which could be a strong point in a competition dominated by questions about FIFA’s commercial plans.
Third attempt at FIFA presidency
This is not the first time Vega has eyed FIFA’s top job. He considered running in 2015, after former president Sepp Blatter stepped down, and four years later announced he would run against Infantino. On this occasion, he failed to receive the minimum support needed to appear on the ballot of five of FIFA’s 211 member associations, and Infantino was re-elected unopposed.
Gathering these candidates will again be his first hurdle. Infantino has long relied on support in parts of Africa, South America and Asia, and an outsider with no federation or confederation behind him faces a difficult task.
Why is Infantino under pressure?
Vega’s announcement comes at the most difficult moment of Infantino’s presidency. FIFA’s proposal to sell a minority stake in its commercial activities, including the World Cup, through a vehicle known as FIFA Forward Enterprise has sparked backlash this summer. UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation rejected it and the plan was withdrawn before any vote could be taken. Our previous report details how Infantino called a crisis meeting in Morocco.
FIFA’s board later reaffirmed its support for the president after marathon talks, and FIFA apologized to its member associations for the handling of the plan. You can read the full story of how Infantino kept his job after the Rabat meeting. Last month he insisted he remained fully committed to leading FIFA despite calls from UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC for him to quit.
What will happen next?
November 18, 2026 is the deadline for candidates to declare before the 77th FIFA Congress, which will be held on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where the elections will be held. Infantino confirmed in April that he would run for a fourth term. Now, Vega must turn his announcement into a formal candidate, and other potential challengers can still decide whether to enter the race after him.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to key questions about Ramon Vega’s bid to become FIFA president.
Who is Ramon Vega?
Ramon Vega is a former Swiss centre-back who won 23 caps between 1993 and 2001 and played for Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic and Watford. After retiring from football in 2004, he worked in finance.
Is Ramon Vega a candidate for the presidency of FIFA?
Yes. Vega has said he intends to run for FIFA president in 2027, making him the first to confirm a run against Gianni Infantino.
When will the next FIFA presidential elections be?
The elections will be held at the 77th FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. The deadline for candidates to declare is November 18, 2026.
How many candidates does the FIFA presidential candidate need?
A candidate needs the support of at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations to be on the ballot. Vega failed to reach this milestone in 2019 when it tried to stay on its feet.
Why is Gianni Infantino under pressure?
Infantino has faced calls to resign from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation after the backlash and withdrawal of FIFA’s plan to sell its stake in the World Cup to private investors. He said that he is fully committed to leading FIFA.