Zurich: The revolt against FIFA President Gianni Infantino by half of the world's football confederations is widening, raising questions about whether he can secure enough votes to win another term.
According to Anadolu Agency, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf sharply escalated their confrontation with FIFA, accusing its leadership of a 'fundamental breach of trust' and 'deception' over the handling of an abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to private investors. In a joint statement, the confederations rejected claims that the controversy was merely a communication or procedural failure, calling for an independent review instead.
The confrontation arrives at a sensitive time for Infantino, who announced his intention to seek another term in 2027. Despite FIFA's electoral arithmetic favoring a president capable of building support association by association, the declarations from these confederations have introduced complications.
Herve Verhoosel, a commentator on FIFA governance, stated that the political calculation behind votes has changed. Public declarations of a 'fundamental breach of trust' make it challenging for individual associations, particularly smaller ones, to oppose their confederations. Verhoosel emphasized that the larger concern is whether Infantino can retain sufficient authority to govern an increasingly divided organization, as surviving a vote and retaining political authority are not synonymous.
Mark Pieth, former chair of FIFA's Independent Governance Committee, described the situation as 'very serious,' noting that Infantino has 'made mistakes' and acted 'disrespectfully.' Pieth referred to a dispute involving Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA and Infantino of 'blackmail.' Prince Ali claimed unresolved issues persisted, including World Cup-related costs and unpaid Arab Cup prize money, asserting that Jordan would not endorse Infantino.
Despite Infantino's previous backing from the AFC, the current confrontation with three of six confederations challenges his leadership. While Infantino's political fate ultimately rests with national associations voting individually, the shifting political landscape poses significant challenges for his re-election prospects in 2027. With the nomination deadline approaching in November, the question is whether Infantino can maintain the trust and political authority needed to govern world football.