As the 49th Ordinary UEFA Congress approaches, the football world’s focus shifts to the upcoming FIFA Council election, set to take place on April 3, 2025, in Belgrade, Serbia. UEFA member associations and its Executive Committee were recently informed of the list of candidates vying for the prestigious positions on the FIFA Council, as UEFA prepares for a historic gathering.
The candidacies for the European members of the FIFA Council were due by the set deadline of Friday, January 3, 2025, and have now been officially confirmed. The election will determine both female and male representatives to serve on the global football body for a four-year term. One female member position has drawn attention, with Belgium’s Van Damme Pascale emerging as the sole candidate for the role. Her bid represents a crucial moment for female representation on the FIFA Council, highlighting the ongoing efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity in the sport’s governance.
In addition to the female seat, there are four male member positions available. These seats will be contested by four prominent figures in European football: Răzvan Burleanu from Romania, Georgios Koumas from Cyprus, Bernd Neuendorf from Germany, and Dejan Savićević from Montenegro. Each of these candidates has a history of involvement in football administration and is seeking re-election to continue their work on the FIFA Council. The election process promises to be fiercely contested, with these seasoned football leaders poised to contribute further to the global development of the sport.
The FIFA Review Committee will now conduct an eligibility check for all candidates, ensuring that each one meets the necessary criteria to run for a position on the FIFA Council. As this process unfolds, the candidates and their supporters eagerly await the outcome of the review, which will be communicated in due course.
While the FIFA Council election will be the main focus of the 49th Ordinary UEFA Congress, there is also an important deadline looming for candidatures for seats on the UEFA Executive Committee. The deadline for nominations to the UEFA Executive Committee is February 3, 2025, with a selection of eight members, including at least one female representative, to be elected for a four-year term, and two members to be chosen for a two-year term. The atmosphere in Belgrade is already building as UEFA and its member associations prepare for what promises to be a pivotal moment in the world of European football governance.
