FIFA Crisis: UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf Consider Action Against Gianni Infantino

Thursday 20 - 12:33

The challenge against Gianni Infantino is taking on a new dimension. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf are reportedly discussing the possibility of organizing a vote of no confidence aimed at undermining or even prompting the departure of the FIFA president. This initiative comes after the abandonment of his controversial plan to open up a future commercial structure linked to World Cup rights.

The crisis shaking FIFA could now transform into an institutional battle. According to sources cited by Reuters, several of the main regional confederations are considering coordinating their efforts to contest Gianni Infantino's authority.

UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf are thus in discussions regarding a potential motion of no confidence, with the aim of gathering enough support to challenge the current presidency.

At this stage, however, this is not an officially initiated procedure. The hypothesis mainly reflects the extent of the rift between a segment of global football leaders and the FIFA president.

The Project That Sparked the Revolt

The dissent originates from a project dubbed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Gianni Infantino had proposed creating a new commercial entity intended to manage part of FIFA's activities and commercial rights, with the idea of opening up to 20% of its capital to private investors.

The operation, which was expected to potentially generate several billion dollars, provoked a strong reaction among several federations and confederations, notably due to the lack of consultation criticized by its opponents.

Under pressure, the project was ultimately abandoned. FIFA's management later acknowledged mistakes and reaffirmed its support for Infantino during a crisis meeting held in Morocco in early August.

However, the withdrawal of the project was not enough to close the crisis.

An Increasingly Critical Coalition

UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf have already publicly expressed their distrust towards FIFA's governance. The three confederations have notably condemned the lack of transparency and consultation surrounding the abandoned project and called for a reevaluation of the organization's functioning.

This dissent has also spread to several national federations.

In recent weeks, several countries have withdrawn their support for Infantino's candidacy for a new term. New Zealand, in particular, announced that it would no longer support his reelection, while other European federations have taken similar stances.

The movement has gained further intensity with the distancing of senior officials within FIFA.

Supporters Starting to Erode

Nevertheless, the FIFA president still retains significant backing. The African Football Confederation (CAF) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) continue to provide him with substantial support.

The situation remains far from resolved. A motion of no confidence could only succeed if a sufficient majority is gathered within FIFA's competent bodies.

This is precisely the main obstacle that Infantino's opponents would face: assembling a coalition large enough to transform the dissent of the confederations into a genuine institutional vote.

The Next Battle: The 2027 Election

The crisis comes as Gianni Infantino seeks a new term as FIFA president during the election scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco.

His reelection, which previously seemed largely assured, now appears much less certain. Several federations have withdrawn their support, and criticism of the organization's governance is multiplying.

The situation could thus lead to a two-level battle: a possible attempt to challenge the presidency before the next Congress, followed by an electoral confrontation if Infantino manages to retain his position until then.

A Crisis That Goes Beyond Just the Commercial Project

Over the weeks, criticisms have broadened beyond the project of opening up to private investors.

The departure of FIFA's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, has notably heightened tensions. Several officials have deemed this episode a new symptom of the governance issues attributed to Infantino. Sandor Csanyi, FIFA's vice-president, publicly stated that he has lost confidence in the president.

For opponents, the real issue now lies in the functioning of the organization: transparency of decisions, consultation of confederations, and balance of power.

An Uncertain Institutional Battle

The possibility of a motion of no confidence thus represents a new step in the crisis, but its outcome remains uncertain.

A vote of no confidence would require transforming the declarations of several confederations and federations into a coalition strong enough to secure a majority. However, Infantino still enjoys significant support in several regions of the world.

The FIFA president remains a candidate for his own succession. The coming months could thus be decisive in determining whether the current dissent leads to a genuine rupture at the head of world football or if it ultimately results in a confrontation during the 2027 vote.

One thing is now certain: after the failure of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, the question is no longer merely about an abandoned commercial operation. It now concerns the governance of FIFA itself and Gianni Infantino's ability to maintain the trust of a portion of the historical powers of world football.