Who is uefa president

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The current UEFA president is Aleksander Čeferin, a Slovenian lawyer who was first elected on September 14, 2016, and re-elected for a second term in 2019. He succeeded Michel Platini, who resigned in 2016 after being banned from football-related activities by FIFA's Ethics Committee. Čeferin's current term runs until 2027, following a rule change in 2021 that extended presidential term limits.

Key Facts

Aleksander Čeferin was first elected UEFA president on September 14, 2016
Čeferin was re-elected for a second term in 2019 and his current term runs until 2027
He succeeded Michel Platini who resigned in 2016 after a FIFA ethics ban
Čeferin previously served as president of the Football Association of Slovenia from 2011-2016
Under Čeferin's leadership, UEFA's revenue reached €4.3 billion in the 2020-21 cycle

Overview

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the governing body for football in Europe, founded on June 15, 1954, in Basel, Switzerland. With 55 member associations, UEFA organizes prestigious competitions including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA European Championship. The organization plays a crucial role in developing football across the continent through various programs and regulations that standardize the sport.

The UEFA presidency is one of the most influential positions in world football, overseeing Europe's football operations and representing the continent in global football governance. Presidents serve four-year terms and are elected by UEFA's member associations during the organization's annual congress. The role involves strategic leadership, financial oversight, and representing European football interests in international forums like FIFA.

How It Works

The UEFA presidency operates within a structured governance framework that balances executive authority with democratic representation from member associations.

Election Process: The UEFA president is elected by representatives from all 55 member associations during the UEFA Congress, typically held annually. Candidates must be nominated by at least five member associations and elections follow a secret ballot system. The current president, Aleksander Čeferin, was first elected in 2016 with 42 votes out of 55 possible votes.
Term Structure: Presidents serve four-year terms with a maximum of three terms under current regulations. However, in 2021, UEFA amended its statutes to allow presidents to serve up to 12 years total if they complete an initial partial term. Čeferin's current term extends until 2027, having been re-elected in 2019 and benefiting from the rule change.
Executive Committee: The president chairs UEFA's 20-member Executive Committee, which meets approximately six times per year to make key decisions about competitions, finances, and regulations. This committee includes representatives from various European football associations and oversees UEFA's annual budget, which exceeded €4.3 billion in the 2020-21 cycle.
Global Representation: The UEFA president automatically becomes a FIFA vice-president, representing Europe on FIFA's 37-member Council. This dual role gives the UEFA president significant influence in global football governance, particularly in decisions about World Cup hosting, rule changes, and international competition formats.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Aleksander Čeferin (Current)	Michel Platini (Previous)
Term Duration	2016-present (extended to 2027)	2007-2016 (9 years)
Background	Slovenian lawyer, former football administrator	French former player, European champion
Major Initiatives	UEFA Nations League (2018), Financial Fair Play reforms	Euro 2016 expansion to 24 teams, Financial Fair Play introduction
Revenue Growth	€4.3 billion (2020-21 cycle)	€2.1 billion (2011-12 cycle)
Controversies	Super League opposition, term limit changes	FIFA ethics ban, payment controversy

Why It Matters

Financial Stewardship: The UEFA president oversees the distribution of approximately €3.8 billion annually to member associations, clubs, and players through competition prize money and solidarity payments. This financial ecosystem supports football development across 55 countries and affects thousands of professional clubs and millions of players.
Competition Innovation: Presidential leadership directly shapes European football's competitive landscape. Čeferin introduced the UEFA Nations League in 2018, creating meaningful international matches between major tournaments. This innovation generated additional revenue streams while improving the quality of international football.
Governance Standards: The president sets ethical standards and regulatory frameworks for European football. Under Čeferin, UEFA strengthened Financial Fair Play regulations and implemented stricter club licensing requirements, affecting how over 650 top-division European clubs operate financially.

The UEFA presidency will continue to evolve as European football faces challenges like the growing influence of private investment, technological advancements in officiating, and balancing commercial interests with sporting integrity. Future presidents will need to navigate these complexities while maintaining UEFA's position as the world's most successful continental football confederation. The role's significance extends beyond administrative duties to shaping the very culture and future of European football for generations to come.