Experts: Lise Klaveness has "zero chance" of becoming FIFA president

Despite being floated as a potential candidate for FIFA president, Norwegian Football Federation chief Lise Klaveness faces overwhelming odds, according to sports experts. Both former Norwegian goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt and Danish sports journalism editor Troels Bager Thøgersen express strong doubts about her prospects, with Thorstvedt stating she is "completely without a chance."

Thorstvedt points to Klaveness's previous electoral performance within UEFA as an indicator of her difficulties. In 2023, she ran for an "open" seat on the UEFA executive committee but received one of the lowest vote counts among eleven candidates for seven positions. While she secured a women's quota seat in 2025 as the sole candidate, Thorstvedt suggests this limited success indicates challenges in gaining broader support from international football representatives.

Thøgersen, editor-in-chief of the Danish magazine Campo, echoes these sentiments, asserting Klaveness has "zero chance" of being elected. He attributes this to her potential desire to alter the FIFA status quo, which he believes many stakeholders are unwilling to embrace. Thøgersen argues that FIFA's current structure, where all member nations have equal voting power regardless of size or influence, perpetuates a system driven by power and financial gain rather than the best interests of football.

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I would have liked to see Lise as Fifa president. But having said that: I think she is completely without a chance.

While acknowledging Klaveness might be a positive force for FIFA, Thøgersen believes her "controversial" nature and perceived challenge to established norms make her unelectable. He criticizes the voting system, comparing it unfavorably to the EU's weighted voting, and suggests that many nations prioritize their own influence over football's development.

The discussion arises amid ongoing scrutiny of current FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking re-election in 2027. Despite recent controversies, Infantino reportedly retains significant support from many FIFA member countries. The Norwegian Football Federation declined to comment on the speculation surrounding Klaveness's potential candidacy, deeming it hypothetical.

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She has zero chance of being elected. Because she would try to change the status quo in Fifa and many are not interested in that.