FIFA's Infantino faces rebellion over investment plan as UEFA threatens World Cup boycott
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's position has been severely weakened after his plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors sparked backlash. UEFA has threatened to boycott all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, and is seeking to remove him.
On Tuesday, Gianni Infantino looked untouchable as FIFA president, the most powerful job in football. Within days, his position has come under threat after news emerged that he had sought to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms, apparently without informing others. UEFA, his fiercest critic, responded on Thursday by threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Other confederations also voiced discontent. Concacaf, which had worked closely with Infantino on the 2026 World Cup, called for a full review of FIFA's leadership. Countries in the Asian Football Confederation also turned against him. Two of his closest allies — senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour — abandoned him. After Infantino backtracked early Saturday, UEFA said it had lost confidence in him.
What happens next remains unclear. Infantino could resign, as Sepp Blatter did in 2015, or try to stay until March, when he is due to seek a fourth term. The FIFA Council could call an emergency meeting if 19 of its 37 members request one. The council includes nine UEFA representatives, seven from AFC, five from Concacaf, six from Africa, five from Conmebol and three from Oceania, plus Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom. There are doubts whether 19 votes can be reached. If the meeting happens, the council could ask for his resignation, but he could refuse.
Another option is an extraordinary congress of FIFA's 211 member associations, triggered by a written request from at least 43 associations. UEFA, with 55 members, can trigger it, but the process would take at least two months, likely three, and success is not guaranteed. A vote of no confidence would require 106 votes. Africa, Conmebol and Oceania have not criticised the plan. While 136 countries rejected the investment proposal, rejecting an idea differs from removing Infantino. Qatar has already backed him, and Mexico distanced itself from Concacaf's statement.
If an election challenge emerges before the 18 November candidacy deadline, possible contenders include Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. Paris St-Germain's Nasser Al-Khelaifi appears less likely, as he reportedly does not want the role.
In his Saturday statement, Infantino said his intent was to bring all parties back together. Morocco, a 2030 co-host, has backed him, and Egypt praised him for cancelling the plan. With the vote possibly months away, Infantino has time to rebuild support. UEFA's challenge is to sustain criticism and leave him with no choice but to resign. Major sponsors leaving FIFA could further damage him, but no such moves have been reported yet.
