EDITORIAL REVIEW REQUIRED — EXPRESS DRAFT. This is an unpublished draft. Some claims may be unconfirmed. Check dates, sources, claims, photographs, and video rights before publishing.
European football’s governing body will face a leadership decision next year as UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed his intention to seek a final four-year term. The Slovenian administrator made the announcement on October 8, 2026, during a meeting in Berlin with representatives of the 55 member national associations, according to AFP reporting.
Ceferin’s decision marks a significant reversal from his earlier stated position that he would not pursue re-election. UEFA attributed the change to unanimous encouragement from the national associations, who collectively requested that he reconsider his previous intention to step down. The 58-year-old, who has led UEFA since 2016 when he replaced Michel Platini following the latter’s resignation amid FIFA corruption proceedings, expressed gratitude for the backing.
"There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request," Ceferin said following the Berlin meeting. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining unity within European football while strengthening the sport and preparing the organization for future leadership transitions.
The re-election will occur at UEFA’s congress scheduled for Kazakhstan in April 2027. Beyond the leadership question, the meeting also addressed broader governance matters affecting world football, with UEFA continuing to voice concerns about FIFA leadership under Gianni Infantino. Among the European body’s proposals is a shift in how the FIFA presidency operates, advocating that the role should focus on leadership rather than management functions.
Aleksander Ceferin has served as UEFA president since 2016, when he was elected to succeed Michel Platini. Platini had resigned after the Court of Arbitration for Sport banned him from football-related activities in connection with a FIFA corruption investigation. Ceferin’s tenure has coincided with significant challenges facing European and world football governance.
Sources and attribution
- Jamaica Observer
- Aleksander Čeferin accepts unanimous request from …
- Soccer-UEFA chief Ceferin reverses decision to step down, …
- Aleksander Ceferin to seek 4th and final term as UEFA …
- Aleksander Čeferin to stand for unprecedented fourth term …
- UEFA president Ceferin to stand for re-election in 2027
CVCA Express Draft: verification pending; WordPress publication is manual.