UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin announced Thursday that he will seek a fourth and final term in 2027, reversing his earlier decision not to stand for reelection.

Ceferin confirmed his decision during a meeting in Berlin with the presidents and general secretaries of UEFA's 55 national associations, which unanimously had urged him to reconsider his previous stance.

The 58-year-old Slovenian will stand for reelection at the 51st UEFA Ordinary Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 22, 2027.

“I want to thank the national associations for their trust. We have faced extraordinary challenges over the past years, and we have faced them as one team,” Ceferin said in a statement.

“There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request. My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave UEFA ready for the next generation,” he added.

Ceferin, who has led UEFA since 2016, announced in February 2024 that he would not seek reelection in 2027, despite changes to the governing body's rules allowing him to serve a fourth term.

If reelected, he would remain in office until 2031.

UEFA calls for change in FIFA leadership

The Berlin meeting also addressed FIFA's future leadership, with UEFA and 54 of its 55 national associations, excluding Azerbaijan, agreeing on proposals to reform world football's governing body.

The associations said they had lost confidence in FIFA's current leadership under Gianni Infantino and called for a change at the top, arguing that institutional reforms alone would not be sufficient.

They called for a new FIFA president capable of restoring confidence across football's governing bodies and committed to reform, integrity and independence.

The criticism follows a dispute over Infantino's proposal to seek private investment in a company managing commercial rights linked to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The plan was abandoned following opposition from UEFA and other football bodies.

Ceferin had previously ruled out challenging Infantino in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027.

UEFA said discussions on FIFA reform and leadership would continue, with another meeting of its 55 national associations scheduled before Nov. 17. (AA)