In brief
FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino is under pressure from European football associations to step down after plans to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments were abandoned. UEFA and Concacaf have already withdrawn backing, with several national associations threatening non‑cooperation unless he resigns. The proposal that would have created a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), is seen by critics as a potential breach of governance. UEFA is preparing to pursue legal action and may call for an emergency council meeting to force his resignation. Meanwhile, the global balance of support remains split, with countries in Africa and South America still backing Infantino.
Gianni Infantino’s decade‑long stewardship of FIFA has come under fire from European football bodies that are threatening non‑cooperation unless he steps down. The threat comes after Infantino abandoned a controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.
UEFA and Concacaf have already withdrawn their letters of support, and several national associations have announced they will no longer cooperate with FIFA’s decisions while Infantino remains president. The opposition is backed by the US venture firm Thrive Eternal, which was set to lead the investor group for the proposed FFE subsidiary.
UEFA is preparing to launch legal proceedings and consider an emergency council meeting that could compel Infantino’s resignation. The council would need 19 of its 37 members to call for an urgent meeting, which would then have to be held within two weeks.
While most of the European and North American federations are leaning against Infantino, African and South American associations continue to support him, offering a divided global political front. The ongoing debate highlights the first real global split that FIFA has ever faced, with the future of world football at stake.
Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino remains in office, risking further fallout. The next major milestone – the FIFA president election in March – will see him seeking a 106‑vote win out of 211 members, a tall order with the prevailing opposition.
