Champagne had been suggested as a potential replacement for Blatter, and in September 2014 he declared he would run for the FIFA presidency at its 2015 election. In January 2015, he declared he would run a clean campaign and would consider taking the 2022 World Cup away from Qatar if he won the election. However, he failed to obtain enough support, and withdrew his candidacy in February 2015. In October 2015 he declared himself a candidate for the 2016 election for the presidency following the corruption investigation and Blatter's suspension, but again failed, only gaining seven votes in the election.