Gianni Infantino has received public backing from a small group of national football associations as pressure continues to mount over his future as FIFA president following the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.While several major football nations and governing bodies have withdrawn their support after the failed World Cup commercialisation plan, reports indicate that six countries have now emerged as Infantino’s most prominent supporters ahead of FIFA’s presidential election next year.
Support shrinks after failed World Cup proposal
Infantino’s standing within world football has weakened considerably since FIFA abandoned plans to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial entity that would have overseen FIFA competitions and facilitated the sale of minority stakes in flagship tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.The proposal triggered widespread opposition from football’s governing bodies. UEFA condemned the initiative, the English Football Association publicly backed UEFA’s position, and several confederations criticised FIFA’s governance before the governing body eventually withdrew the proposal.UEFA has since warned FIFA of possible legal action over the abandoned project, while reports have also linked the proposed structure to a potential $30 million annual salary for Infantino if he had eventually assumed a senior executive role within the new entity. FIFA has consistently denied that such an arrangement was ever formally proposed.
Six nations publicly remain behind Infantino
Despite the backlash, Infantino continues to retain support from a number of member associations.According to Adam Crafton of The Athletic, six countries have emerged as key backers of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Kuwait.The report also states that several football associations across Africa and Asia continue to support Infantino’s leadership, with Morocco and Egypt among the federations that have publicly maintained their backing.Their support comes at a critical stage as the FIFA president prepares for next year’s election, where his leadership is expected to face far greater scrutiny than at any point since taking office in 2016.
Several nations have withdrawn their support
The support from those six countries comes against the backdrop of growing opposition elsewhere.According to multiple reports, countries including England, Wales, Sweden, Finland and Serbia have withdrawn their backing following the controversy surrounding the failed FFE proposal.The English FA aligned itself with UEFA’s criticism, calling for sweeping governance reforms within FIFA.In a statement, the FA said:“It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart.”UEFA has gone even further, stating that the current FIFA leadership has lost not only its confidence but also that of many other members of the global football community.
How FIFA’s presidential election works
Infantino is due to seek another term as FIFA president when member associations vote in March 2027.Under FIFA statutes, each of the governing body’s 211 member associations receives one vote through a secret ballot.If only two candidates contest the election, the successful candidate must secure a simple majority of more than 50 per cent, meaning at least 106 votes are required to win the presidency.Before the controversy surrounding the World Cup commercialisation proposal, reports suggested that more than 200 member associations had formally endorsed Infantino’s candidacy, positioning him as an overwhelming favourite for another term.However, the collapse of the proposal and the subsequent backlash have significantly altered the political landscape within world football.
How Infantino could lose the presidency
Although Infantino remains FIFA president, there are several routes through which his tenure could come to an end.The most straightforward would be electoral defeat at next year’s FIFA Congress if another candidate secures enough support from member associations.According to FIFA’s statutes, member associations can also convene an extraordinary FIFA Congress if at least 20 per cent of FIFA’s membership—equivalent to 43 national associations,requests one. Such a meeting could consider a motion to dismiss the president.Another theoretical route would involve FIFA’s Ethics Committee investigating alleged breaches of the organisation’s ethics code following formal complaints. However, reports indicate there are currently no obvious ethics allegations that would automatically trigger that process.
Potential challengers beginning to emerge
With Infantino’s position under greater pressure than at any stage during his presidency, attention has already begun to turn towards possible challengers.Reports have linked CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani with a potential bid for the presidency, while Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.Another name reportedly under consideration is Mattias Grafström, FIFA’s current General Secretary, although no formal candidacies have yet been confirmed.
