Map reveals global split over Infantino's Fifa future
BBC Sport has mapped how all 210 Fifa member associations appear to stand on Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term, showing his once-certain re-election is now in doubt. Roughly 124 associations are estimated to oppose him, 73 support him, and 13 remain undecided.
In mid-July, Gianni Infantino looked almost certain to secure a fourth term as Fifa president next March, with most of the organisation's 210 members having already backed his bid. That changed after two weeks of backlash following the collapse of his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors.
BBC Sport has compiled a map of where each member association appears to stand, based on public statements, direct responses to the broadcaster, and assumed positions drawn from confederation-level statements. The current estimate puts support for Infantino at 73 associations, opposition at 124, with 13 still undecided — though the picture could shift in coming months.
Several European federations, including England and Wales, have withdrawn earlier letters of support. On Monday, pressure grew further when Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a joint letter accusing Infantino and Fifa of a breach of trust through "deception". Together those three confederations represent 136 associations, though not all members are aligned — Bhutan, the Philippines and the UAE, for instance, have backed Infantino despite sitting within AFC.
Infantino retains strong support in Africa and South America, regions that have benefited significantly from Fifa's Forward investment programme over the past decade. The Oceania confederation, meanwhile, has made no public statement on the matter.
A head-to-head Fifa presidential vote requires 106 votes for a simple majority. While Fifa Council members could theoretically force an emergency meeting to seek Infantino's resignation, the council's composition makes that unlikely. A more plausible path is a unity candidate emerging by the November deadline, with Concacaf president Victor Montagliani frequently mentioned as a possible challenger. Saudi Arabia's own football leadership elections in August could also shape how the region eventually votes.
