Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inMichael JonesWednesday 07 October 2026 22:29 BSTVega is the first candidate to publicly declare his intention to run against Infantino (Daniel Smith/Getty Images for Soccerex)Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency in next year's election.Vega is the first candidate to publicly declare his intention to run against Infantino, who was previously expected to stand unopposed.Infantino faced widespread backlash and calls for his resignation after a controversial plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors.Having worked in finance since retiring from football in 2004, Vega aims to modernise governance, restore stability, and rebuild global trust in the organisation.The former Switzerland international criticised current leadership for damaging Fifa's credibility, stating that the sport urgently requires decisive reform rather than cosmetic adjustments.In fullGianni Infantino’s first presidential rival emerges with former Spurs defender set to stand in Fifa electionMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in