FIFA President Gianni Infantino is intensifying efforts to secure re-election amid lingering controversies over a widely criticized World Cup media rights sell-off plan. With the next FIFA Congress scheduled for March, Infantino is actively engaging with member federations ahead of the vote, including a planned appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, where he is set to lobby heads of state for support.
Since FIFA abandoned Infantino’s proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” scheme last month, which involved selling World Cup broadcast rights at the international level—a move that prompted the withdrawal of endorsement letters from dozens of member associations—he has maintained a busy schedule. Infantino has traveled extensively using a Qatar Airways private jet, provided under the airline’s sponsorship deal with FIFA, visiting key football confederations and national associations across multiple continents.
Despite setbacks, sources familiar with the federation’s internal dynamics suggest the majority of the 200 FIFA member associations continue to back Infantino. However, cracks may be emerging in certain regions. A recent meeting with the Caribbean Football Union approved funding projects but may have fragmented support within the CONCACAF confederation, which encompasses North, Central America and the Caribbean. Growing uncertainties have also been reported regarding cohesion among European football associations.
An anonymous insider indicated that potential challengers appear reluctant to contest Infantino given the incumbent’s substantial institutional advantages. “As long as Gianni is running, I don’t think anyone else will raise their hand,” the source said. “They would effectively be running against FIFA the institution. FIFA declared his candidacy, provides staff, aeroplanes.”
Infantino’s travel itinerary has included stops in Doha, Rabat, Miami, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Kyrgyzstan, often coinciding with the endorsement of development projects and funding agreements that inject millions of dollars into national football programs. Critics argue that utilizing Qatar Airways’ resources in this manner blurs the line between official FIFA business and campaign activity, underscoring concerns about the substantial advantages enjoyed by the sitting president.
Efforts by factions within FIFA to identify a viable alternative candidate to challenge Infantino appear to be losing momentum, with multiple sources involved in opposition efforts expressing dwindling optimism about fielding a contender capable of defeating him. The status of the March vote itself remains uncertain as political dynamics within FIFA continue to evolve.