Lise Klaveness: 'Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino'

Norwegian Football Federation president Klaveness rules out running for FIFA presidency but believes reform is possible and other candidates can challenge Infantino.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, has distanced herself from a potential FIFA presidential bid while maintaining that the governing body can be reformed. Speaking in Oslo, Klaveness said her outspoken stance on governance issues makes her an unlikely candidate, but she believes other individuals exist who could mount a credible challenge to Gianni Infantino's re-election next year.

Klaveness has been a consistent critic of FIFA leadership, particularly on the issue of remedy for families affected by deaths during Qatar's World Cup preparations. She prompted a FIFA review that found the organisation had a responsibility to provide compensation, though FIFA declined to redirect funds. She has also called for Infantino's resignation following recent controversies.

While her name has been floated as a possible presidential candidate—earning an endorsement from disgraced former president Sepp Blatter—Klaveness said this would not be "a real subject" for her. However, she stressed the importance of fielding a viable challenger before the nomination deadline on 18 November, arguing that any candidate must have support across multiple confederations to have a genuine chance of winning.