Aleksander Ceferin reverses exit decision to seek fourth UEFA term

Aleksander Ceferin will seek a fourth and final term as UEFA president after reversing his decision to step down in 2027.

The Slovenian outlined his intention to stand again at a meeting of European football’s national associations in Berlin on Thursday.

The election will take place at UEFA’s congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 22 April 2027. Victory would extend his presidency until 2031.

Why can Aleksander Ceferin stand again?

Ceferin’s route to another term was opened by changes to UEFA’s statutes in 2024.

Those changes mean his initial partial term, which began when he succeeded Michel Platini in 2016, does not count towards the three-term limit.

The Football Association opposed the amendment. Ceferin subsequently said he did not intend to seek re-election when his current term expired.

He has now changed that position after receiving backing from national associations.

Ceferin explains his decision

“There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request,” Ceferin said, as reported by Reuters.

His decision concerns the UEFA presidency. He had already ruled out challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in August.

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