Divisions Emerge Over Fifa Leadership

By Megan Sinclair — 11 August 2026 — 3 min read

Divisions Emerge Over Leadership

Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, is facing significant division among member associations regarding his continued leadership. While he was previously considered a strong candidate for re-election in March, his position has become less certain following an abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. This proposal has led to a backlash, prompting a re-evaluation of support across the 210 member associations eligible to vote.

The global football landscape is far from unified on whether Infantino should remain in his role. Initially, nearly all member associations had endorsed his bid for a fourth term. However, recent events have altered this outlook, with a fluid situation showing associations in support, in opposition, and undecided. This dynamic is expected to shift further in the coming months as positions solidify.

A significant coalition of governing bodies, including Europe’s Uefa, North America’s Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), have accused Infantino and Fifa of breaking trust through “deception.” These three confederations collectively represent 136 associations, indicating a substantial challenge to Infantino’s leadership. Some European nations, such as England and Wales, have formally withdrawn previous letters of support for his re-election.

Confederation Stances and Key Players

Despite the growing opposition, Infantino retains strong allies, particularly within Africa’s Caf and South America’s Conmebol. These confederations have reportedly benefited from increased investment since Infantino took office. This investment could be crucial in securing votes from nations within the AFC, Concacaf, and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), especially those that have significantly benefited from the Fifa Forward programme.

However, cracks are appearing within confederations. For instance, Mexico has publicly supported Infantino, diverging from Concacaf’s general stance. Within the AFC, countries like Bhutan, the Philippines, and the UAE have also backed Infantino, despite the confederation’s joint letter of accusation. The AFC is seen as a potential swing region, with many associations yet to declare their position.

The USA and Canada have expressed support for Concacaf’s recent statement but have not explicitly declared opposition to Infantino. The OFC has remained silent on the matter, with no public comment from the confederation or its members since the controversy began. The OFC has indicated it will release a statement following an upcoming meeting.

Saudi Arabia, which was awarded hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup during Infantino’s tenure, has not yet taken a public stance. The outcome of its own football leadership elections in August could influence its position and potentially sway other nations in the region.

Potential Challenges and Future Scenarios

The possibility of a challenger emerging against Infantino in the March election is now a key focus. While no candidate has yet come forward, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has been mentioned as a potential contender. If Uefa, Concacaf, and the AFC are serious about unseating Infantino, uniting behind a single candidate is likely their most effective strategy. The deadline for candidates to announce their intention to stand is in the coming months.

Should a direct contest occur, a simple majority of 106 votes would be required for victory if there are two candidates. If three or more candidates stand, a first-round win requires two-thirds of the vote, with a simple majority needed in a subsequent round. The distribution of votes across confederations is 55 for Europe, 54 for Africa, 46 for Asia, 35 for North America, 11 for Oceania, and 10 for South America.

The former US president, Donald Trump, has publicly stated that removing Infantino would be a “terrible mistake,” praising his leadership during the most recent World Cup. Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino has not indicated any intention to step down. However, there is a possibility that Fifa Council members could attempt to force his resignation through an emergency meeting.

The global picture remains uncertain due to emerging splits within confederations and the absence of a clear challenger. The Fifa Council is expected to receive a report at its next meeting in October.

Source: bbc.co.uk