Klopp Calls for Change at FIFA Leadership
Germany coach Jurgen Klopp urged a shift in FIFA's leadership as Gianni Infantino signals plans to seek another presidential term.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Soccer
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Jurgen Klopp called for a change in FIFA leadership at a pre-match press conference ahead of Germany's Nations League game against the Netherlands. Gianni Infantino, who has served as FIFA president for 10 years, intends to stand for another term in March.
Why it matters
Klopp's comments add a prominent voice from football to the opposition that has emerged over FIFA's direction. UEFA has said it would boycott FIFA tournaments in protest of a plan to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial and event operations, including the World Cup.
Infantino has been unopposed in both of his re-election bids, in 2019 and 2023, while the 2026 contest remains open. Whether any challenger will meet the November 18 candidacy deadline has not been determined.
The players
Jurgen Klopp
Former Liverpool manager who was appointed Germany head coach after the national team's World Cup exit, and who has been outspoken on the direction of the sport.
Gianni Infantino
Swiss-Italian president of FIFA since 2016, who has led the governing body through a decade of commercial expansion and controversy.
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, the sport's global governing body responsible for the World Cup and international competitions.
The details
Klopp made the remarks ahead of Germany's Nations League fixture against the Netherlands, after Germany's exit in the World Cup round of 32 against Paraguay led to his appointment as national team coach. Ramon Vega and Kozo Tashima have announced their intention to challenge Infantino.
Timeline
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
Infantino was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023.
Candidacy announcement deadline is November 18, 2026.
Infantino intends to stand for another term in March 2027.
Season Trajectory
Infantino's bid for another term follows his 2016 succession of Sepp Blatter, the earlier FIFA leader forced out amid corruption scandals. Whether challengers emerge before the November deadline will determine whether the post-Blatter era faces its first genuine electoral test.
The outcome of the FIFA presidency affects how World Cup broadcast and commercial rights are structured, which shapes the tournament fans watch. A stake sale of FIFA's event operations could change who profits from the competition and how it is run.
The takeaway
Leadership contests at FIFA have been rare since 2016, so any challenger who emerges before the deadline would test the governing body's direction. Readers should watch whether the candidacy field fills before November 18.
What happens next
The candidacy announcement deadline is November 18, 2026, after which the field for FIFA's presidential election will be set ahead of Infantino's expected March 2027 bid.
Further reading
For more on the governing body at the center of this debate, see the latest Soccer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
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