Ex-Spurs defender Ramon Vega says he intends to run for Fifa president
October 7, 2026 17:30
Vega said he was standing to “reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise Fifa for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs.” His statement described Fifa as needing “a new direction and fundamental reform” and warned football was “in the emergency room, on life support.”
The move comes after a backlash over Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Infantino has said he is “fully committed to leading Fifa” despite Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation calling for him to quit.
Vega, 55, played for Switzerland — making 23 appearances between 1993 and 2001 — and had club spells with Tottenham, Celtic and Watford. He has worked in finance since retiring from playing in 2004. He previously considered a run for Fifa president in 2015 and attempted to stand in 2019, but then failed to secure the required backing from five of Fifa’s 211 member federations to get on the ballot.
He described football as “the people's game” and said administrators must not allow internal conflict to damage players, coaches, referees and supporters.