FIFA Will Elect New President in Zurich
The extraordinary general meeting will determine who succeeds former president Sepp Blatter.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Soccer
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FIFA member associations will gather in Zurich on October 2, 2026, to elect a new president from five candidates. The election marks a significant leadership transition following the 2015 resignation of Sepp Blatter.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape the governance and future direction of global football. Electing a successor is a critical step for the organization as it looks to move past the era of its previous long-term leadership.
A total of 209 FIFA affiliate members are eligible to cast ballots in the upcoming election. Five distinct candidates have qualified to run for the presidential seat.
The players
Philip Chiyangwa
He is the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association.
Omega Sibanda
He serves as the deputy president of the Zimbabwe Football Association.
Sepp Blatter
He was the president of FIFA from 1998 until his resignation in 2015.
Gianni Infantino
He is one of the five candidates currently vying for the FIFA presidency.
Ebrahim al-Khalifa
He is a presidential candidate who has received an official endorsement from Caf.
The details
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa and deputy president Omega Sibanda are traveling to Zurich for the extraordinary general meeting. The contest is expected to be competitive, with Gianni Infantino and Ebrahim al-Khalifa viewed as primary contenders.
Timeline
1998: Sepp Blatter began his term as FIFA president.
May 2015: Sepp Blatter was elected for a fifth term before resigning.
October 1, 2026: Chiyangwa and Sibanda fly to Zurich.
October 2, 2026: The FIFA extraordinary general meeting occurs.
October 4, 2026: Chiyangwa and Sibanda return from Zurich.
Season Trajectory
This election follows the precedent set by the 2015 transition, continuing the organization's efforts to finalize its leadership restructuring. The result will establish the institutional mandate for the next governing term.
The election of a new president will determine the future administrative priorities for all 209 member associations. These changes at the executive level eventually trickle down to global tournament formats and international development funding.
The takeaway
The election represents a major turning point for global football governance. Stakeholders should monitor the incoming administration's policy platform to understand potential changes to international tournament structures.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the game, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bulawayo24 News.
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