On 8 September 2015, the Football Federation of Abkhazia announced that the upcoming leadership election had been moved forward to October from the Spring of 2016, so as to leave more time for the preparation of the 2016 ConIFA World Football Cup, hosted by Abkhazia.[4] Ruslan Ajinjal became the only candidate for the post after incumbent Chairman Jemal Gubaz announced his immediate resignation on 21 September.[3][5] On 15 October, Ajinjal was elected unanimously.[6]