The FIFA presidency of Gianni Infantino faces mounting challenges as the global football community remains sharply divided following his recent controversial proposal to raise approximately $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other international tournaments. The fallout continues nearly a week after Infantino abandoned the plan, with national associations and football confederations expressing contrasting positions around the world.
On August 7, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) called for Infantino’s resignation, citing a loss of confidence and a need for reform in FIFA governance. NFF president Lise Klaveness, a lawyer, stated that Infantino lacked the institutional trust necessary to lead FIFA during this critical period and urged the president to step down to restore stability. She described the international football cooperation as “very much in trouble” and criticized what she called ongoing power struggles within the organization.
European football’s governing body UEFA, which represents 55 member associations, has threatened to boycott all FIFA-organized events until its conditions for resuming participation are met. UEFA’s stance is supported by the players’ union FIFPRO, which condemned Infantino’s proposal as an abuse of presidential power. England’s Lucy Bronze, a national team defender, expressed willingness among European players to back a boycott if required for the good of the game. However, UEFA has yet to confirm whether it will withdraw from the upcoming FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup set for September in Poland. The French Football Federation confirmed its intent to participate in that event.
The division extends beyond Europe, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously reaffirming support for Infantino’s leadership on August 6. South America’s governing body CONMEBOL expressed reservations over decisions made by FIFA without prior consultation but stopped short of calling for Infantino’s removal. Instead, it rejected any efforts to oust him without a formal vote involving all 211 FIFA member associations. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), which co-hosted the 2026 World Cup, sided with Infantino, distancing itself from CONCACAF’s critical stance, and emphasized the importance of working within FIFA’s institutional framework. The FMF pledged continued support for Infantino’s leadership and efforts to develop football globally.
Several other national associations have voiced support for the FIFA president, including Ecuador and Argentina. Ecuador’s Football Federation credited FIFA’s financial backing with the nation’s recent football advancements. The Argentina Football Association (AFA) acknowledged errors in the recent commercial rights proposal but praised FIFA’s work over the past decade and called for unity ahead of the 2027 FIFA Congress where Infantino seeks re-election. Paraguay’s federation echoed this endorsement.
Conversely, some associations including Croatia, England, and Albania have withdrawn their support. FIFA acknowledged mistakes in the rollout and communication of the commercial rights proposal and issued an apology following discussions in Rabat, promising to review the process. The organization defended the legality of the actions taken, emphasizing that procedural errors did not violate governance rules.
As Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term in March 2027, the controversy has exposed significant fractures among FIFA’s members, leaving the future leadership and direction of global football uncertain.