A Bruising 24 Hours – What Next for Fifa and Under-Pressure Infantino?
The world of international football has witnessed its fair share of power struggles over the years. However, none have been as contentious as the current situation surrounding Gianni Infantino’s presidency at FIFA. After a week marked by intense speculation and drama, Infantino finds himself in an increasingly precarious position.
Infantino’s tenure began with great fanfare, earning him the admiration of many within the football community for his efforts to modernize and reform the organization. However, it has since become clear that his plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investments firms have been met with fierce resistance from UEFA (Union of European Football Associations). The governing body’s president, Infantino’s fiercest critic, has threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.
This move is likely to be the catalyst for a significant shake-up within the organization. While Europe’s governing body, UEFA, senses an opportunity to remove Infantino and this could prove to be his best chance at being ousted, it remains unclear whether they will succeed in their efforts.
Infantino has managed to maintain support from some of FIFA’s key stakeholders, including loyal countries in Asia such as China and Japan. However, he faces stiff opposition from several major confederations, including Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football), Africa, the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and Oceania.
The situation has taken a dramatic turn with UEFA issuing a strong statement expressing its loss of confidence in Infantino. This move is likely to be seen as a significant blow, particularly given that it comes after two other major confederations, Qatar and Mexico, have publicly distanced themselves from the joint Concacaf statement criticizing Infantino’s plan.
The next steps will be crucial in determining the fate of Infantino. The Fifa Council could attempt to force him out through an emergency meeting if 19 of its members call for one. However, this is a long shot given that only nine council members support Infantino and it would require significant pressure from other member associations.
If the Fifa Council fails to act, UEFA has the option to trigger an extraordinary congress of all FIFA’s member associations. This gathering will take place within two weeks if 43 or more associations request one in writing. However, there is no guarantee that this meeting will result in Infantino tendering his resignation, and it could simply add further pressure on him.
The situation has also taken a toll on Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, who was heavily involved in the build-up to and delivery of the 2026 World Cup. He has emerged as one of the most likely candidates to replace Infantino if he is ousted from his position.
Infantino’s chances of being removed from office are slim but not impossible. If Uefa and his biggest critics were to go down the election route, they would need to find a unifying leader who can attract support from countries in Asia, Africa, and Oceania that have been loyal to Infantino but could be persuaded to switch their votes.
The most likely candidate appears to be Concacaf president Victor Montagliani. Like Infantino, he was elected in 2016 with promises of governance reform. A former president of Canada Soccer, Montagliani has a strong track record and is fluent in several languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
Another option could be Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) president. Initially elected in 2013, he was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term to run until 2027. He has been instrumental in carrying out FIFA’s brutal takedown of how the organization is being run by Infantino and has amassed a significant following among many confederations.
In theory, Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi could be a serious challenger to Infantino. However, it seems he does not want the role, which raises questions about Qatar’s potential support for him.
The likelihood of Infantino being ousted remains uncertain at this stage. In any other business, he would likely face significant opposition and would need to demonstrate exceptional leadership skills to remain in office.
Based on reporting from BBC World.
