The former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter is rallying behind Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, as the new head of the world football association: “Lise Klaveness commands the utmost respect,” the 90-year-old wrote on X on Tuesday. “She was the only one who consistently took a clear stand and did not go along with the mainstream. And at FIFA, the time has come for a woman to lead.” In doing so, he also invoked the hashtag #lise4president.
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
Klaveness is openly lesbian and the first woman to lead the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF). For years she has been regarded as one of the most vocal critics of FIFA’s current leadership under Gianni Infantino. The 45-year-old had already sparked controversy at the FIFA Congress in 2022 in Qatar when she delivered a keynote address that openly condemned the human rights situation in the host country and the lack of attention to women’s and LGBTQ rights in international football (TheColu.mn reported). Since then she has consistently positioned herself for more transparency, integrity, and the protection of human rights within world football — thereby presenting a counterpoint to the current president Gianni Infantino.
Should Klaveness officially run as a candidate, she would be the first woman and the first openly queer person to seek the top job in global football. She would need to submit her candidacy by mid-November so that she can stand as a candidate at the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
Infantino no longer unbeatable after failed investor deal
The current FIFA chief Gianni Infantino had planned to seek re-election at the congress in North Africa. Since his aborted push for a $20-billion deal to sell parts of FIFA events to private investors, the once-dominant figure in world football has stumbled. Infantino is also controversial due to his closeness to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Klaveness played a total of 73 times for the Norwegian national team between 2002 and 2011. Her greatest international achievement was a second-place finish at the 2005 European Championship — the Norwegian women’s team lost the final to Germany 1-3. Later she worked as a football commentator for Norwegian television before being elected in spring 2022 as the first woman to head the Norwegian Football Federation. In private life, she has been married for years to fellow footballer Ingrid Camilla Fosse Sæthre, with whom she is raising three children. (dk)
