Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes the time has come for a woman to lead world football’s governing body, with the 90-year-old throwing his support behind Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness as pressure continues to mount on Gianni Infantino.
Blatter, who spent 17 years as FIFA president before stepping down in 2015, has become the latest high-profile figure to weigh in on the organisation’s leadership following the controversy surrounding Infantino’s abandoned World Cup investment plans.
Writing on X, Blatter declared that FIFA should now break new ground by appointing its first female president and singled out Klaveness as the ideal candidate to take over if a leadership change materialises.
“Lise Klaveness deserves the utmost respect,” Blatter wrote.
“She was the only one who always took a clear stand and did not go along with the mainstream.
“And at FIFA, the time is right for a woman to take the lead.”
The endorsement comes as Infantino faces the biggest political challenge of his presidency after abandoning plans to sell a stake in a new commercial company controlling key World Cup assets.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes the time has come for a woman to lead world football’s governing body, with the 90-year-old throwing his support behind Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness as pressure continues to mount on Gianni Infantino
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The proposals sparked fierce criticism across football and prompted England, Wales and a growing number of European football associations to withdraw support for Infantino’s re-election, while UEFA has declared it no longer has confidence in FIFA’s current leadership.
Klaveness has emerged as one of the most outspoken figures during the governance crisis.
The president of the Norwegian Football Federation has repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability within football’s governing bodies and welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon the controversial investment proposals.
Lise Klaveness deserves the utmost respect. She was the only one who always took a clear stand and did not go along with the mainstream. And at FIFA, the time is right for a woman to take the lead. #liseklaveness #norgesfotballforbund #norge #fifa #gianniinfantino #lise4president…
— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) August 4, 2026
Her forthright approach has earned admiration from several senior figures across the game, with Blatter now becoming the first former FIFA president to publicly endorse her as a future leader of the organisation.
Although speculation over who could eventually replace Infantino has intensified over recent days, no candidate has formally announced plans to stand for the presidency.
Blatter’s intervention is therefore significant, particularly given his own history at the top of world football.
The Swiss administrator resigned as FIFA president in 2015 after a corruption scandal engulfed the organisation.
Lisa Klaveness is widely respected within the world of football
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He was later acquitted of corruption charges by a Swiss tribunal last year.
While he no longer holds any official position within football, his comments are likely to add further momentum to the growing debate over FIFA’s future leadership.
Klaveness has yet to indicate whether she would consider running for the presidency if the position became vacant.
Infantino also remains in office despite increasing calls for reform and growing pressure from national associations following the collapse of his World Cup commercial strategy.
