Aleksander Ceferin to Seek Fourth Term as UEFA President

Aleksander Ceferin has officially declared his intention to run for a fourth term as the head of UEFA. The 58-year-old Slovenian official shared the news with representatives from all 55 member associations during a high-level meeting in Berlin. This move ensures that the current leadership could remain in place until at least 2031.

The announcement marks a significant U-turn for Ceferin. In early 2024, he had publicly stated his intention to step down when his current mandate expires in 2027. However, he now claims that a unanimous request from national federations and key stakeholders in European football prompted him to reconsider his future.

"I want to thank the national associations for their trust. There is still important work ahead."

Aleksander Ceferin

A Path to 2031

Ceferin’s eligibility for another term follows a controversial change to UEFA’s statutes approved earlier this year. By excluding his initial three-year period—where he completed a predecessor's term—from the official limit, the path was cleared for him to serve beyond the standard three-term cap.

Beyond internal leadership, the meeting in Berlin highlighted a growing rift between UEFA and FIFA. The European governing body published a reform plan for world football, openly calling for a new, unifying figure to lead the global game. While Ceferin has no plans to challenge for the FIFA presidency himself in March, he is actively seeking a candidate to support.

The formal vote for the UEFA presidency is scheduled for April 22 during the organization's ordinary congress in Astana, Kazakhstan. With the backing of almost all member associations, Ceferin appears set to maintain his grip on European football for another seven years.