Gianni Infantino’s once-secure grip on the presidency of world football’s governing body is facing unprecedented pressure. Until mid-July, the Fifa leader appeared to be on a clear path to securing a fourth term in office next March, with nearly all of the 210 member associations having endorsed his candidacy without any significant opposition. However, the political landscape has shifted dramatically over the last two weeks following a backlash against his now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors.
The world is far from united over whether Infantino should stay or go. To illustrate this division, Sport has mapped the apparent view of all 210 member associations eligible to vote, noting that Nepal, Fifa’s 211th member, remains suspended and currently holds no voting rights. In some cases, countries have publicly stated their overt support or opposition regarding Infantino, while others have directly informed Sport of their stance. Some positions are assumed based on statements made by the continental confederations to which the countries belong.
Whereas once Infantino looked set to saunter to a fourth term unopposed, he now might need to secure enough numbers on his side to remain in his post. If a unity candidate is found to oppose him, the election would transform into a direct battle. Fifa election rules dictate that a simple majority is required when two candidates face off, meaning each would need 106 votes to win. If three or more candidates run, a first-round victory requires two-thirds of the vote, with a second round triggered if no candidate reaches that threshold.
The distribution of voting power across the confederations is as follows: Europe holds 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, North America 35, Oceania 11, and South America 10. While the current estimated tally shows 73 in support of Infantino, 124 in opposition, and 13 undecided, this picture remains highly fluid and is expected to shift in the coming months. Former US President Donald Trump has weighed in, stating it would be a “terrible mistake” to remove the Fifa president.
The backlash against Infantino intensified significantly on Monday when the European governing body Uefa, North America’s Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) signed a joint letter accusing him and Fifa of breaking their trust “through deception.” This coalition is substantial, as these three regional governing bodies represent 136 associations collectively. Several European nations, including England and Wales, have formally withdrawn the letters of support for Infantino that they had previously submitted.
Despite the regional stance, there are already dissenting members within these confederations. For instance, Bhutan, the Philippines, and the UAE have all maintained their support for Infantino, diverging from the broader AFC position. Asia is currently viewed as a potential swing region, with many associations yet to declare their stance. Within Concacaf, Mexico has broken ranks to support the president, while the USA and Canada have stated support for Concacaf’s latest statement, but have not outright declared their opposition to Infantino’s rule.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has remained silent, with no public comments released by the body or its members since the crisis began. The OFC has indicated it will release a statement following a meeting scheduled for Thursday. Meanwhile, Infantino retains staunch allies, particularly within Africa’s Caf and South America’s Conmebol, both of which have benefited from his investment programs. These financial commitments could help him secure critical votes from nations within the AFC, Concacaf, and OFC that occupy lower tiers in the football hierarchy.
Saudi Arabia, which has yet to take a public position, remains a key player, especially as it was awarded the 2034 World Cup hosting rights during Infantino’s tenure. The nation is set to hold its own football leadership elections in August. It cannot be guaranteed that every nation will strictly follow the line set by its confederation. While Caf president Patrice Motsepe remains a key ally of Infantino, Concacaf leader Victor Montagliani could emerge as a significant figure in the unfolding political drama.
Infantino has shown no desire to step down, yet there is a possibility that his time in charge could conclude as early as this autumn. This outcome could materialize if members of the Fifa Council attempt to force his resignation during an emergency meeting. Such a meeting can be formally called if 19 of the 37 members request it, and it must take place within a fortnight of that request.
The intensity of the situation is reflected in the rapid succession of headlines, including reports on the president’s lifestyle and the specific accusations of deception leveled by confederation presidents. The political maneuvering continues as stakeholders weigh the potential for a leadership change against the stability of the current administration.
The volatility of the current support base suggests that the next few months will be decisive for Infantino’s future. With the electoral math shifting, the president must navigate a landscape where traditional alliances are being tested by internal dissent and external pressure from major governing bodies.
Ultimately, the path forward for Fifa remains uncertain. Whether Infantino can consolidate his remaining support or whether the opposition can coalesce around a single challenger will determine the outcome of the next election and the future direction of world football governance.
All but a handful of Fifa’s 210 members had endorsed his bid for a fourth term in charge of world football, and he faced no meaningful challenge from any quarter.
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Also on the panel are Infantino himself and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.
Given its makeup, then, this approach is probably unlikely.
Nobody has put their name forward yet, but if the leaders of Uefa, Concacaf, and AFC are serious about toppling Infantino, uniting behind a single candidate is likely their best option.
The deadline for a candidate to announce their intention to stand is November.
What is clear is that Infantino is no longer coasting towards a fourth term, if he clings on that long.
Infantino broke trust ‘through deception’ – confederation presidents Published 1 day ago
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