The South African journalism lecturer has written to all 211 FIFA member associations seeking five nominations ahead of the November 18 deadline.

Published 11 Nov 2026, 08:34 GMT

2 min read

Lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde, who is seeking nomination to challenge for the FIFA presidency — Peter Auf der Heyde holds a football

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South African journalism lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde has launched a bid to challenge Gianni Infantino in the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, offering to work for a US$1 annual salary.

Auf der Heyde, who lectures at Southampton Solent University in England and previously served as a sports editor at German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur, has written to all 211 member associations seeking the five nominations required before the November 18 deadline.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the former journalist and football club owner said he had already received replies from the English and Jamaican football associations, framing his campaign to unseat Infantino as an effort to prevent an uncontested vote.

"I'm not asking for countries to vote for me, I'm asking for them to nominate me," Auf der Heyde said.

"There should not be an uncontested election, and in this case Infantino needs to be challenged. It's important for accountability and transparency."

Pointing to Infantino's reported US$6 million (£4.49 million) compensation last year, Auf der Heyde proposed capping the presidential salary at US$450,000 (£337,259) a year.

He pledged to draw just US$1 (75p) annually and collect the balance after a single four-year term only if an independent assessment confirms he kept his promises.

"If I promise to do something and fail to deliver, why should I receive the full salary?" he said, adding that FIFA's leader should be judged against campaign commitments.

A former Grahamstown Soccer Association president who owned second-division club UDW FC and covered 13 consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Auf der Heyde also proposes a 16-team Emerging Nations World Cup for smaller nations such as Eswatini, Andorra and San Marino.

Even as challengers line up before next week's cut-off, the Confederation of African Football has reaffirmed its support for Infantino, who insists he holds the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of associations.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

Lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde bids to unseat Infantino as FIFA president for US$1 a year

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