UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF are considering whether to pursue a no-confidence vote against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to senior figures familiar with the discussions. The move follows their opposition to a proposal to sell private investors a minority stake in a FIFA commercial entity controlling World Cup rights.
The possible challenge is not yet a formal vote, and FIFA’s statutes contain no specific provision governing a no-confidence vote in its president. Infantino has said he intends to seek re-election at the scheduled March 2027 FIFA Congress, while retaining support from FIFA member associations including Africa’s football confederation, CAF.
What the regional bodies are considering
The three confederations have previously criticised Infantino’s handling of the investment proposal, citing concerns about transparency, consultation and governance. UEFA has said a review of FIFA’s leadership and governance should be “thorough and fundamental” and that “no option should be off the table”. CONCACAF referred to an earlier joint statement with UEFA and the AFC accusing FIFA’s leadership of a fundamental breach of trust.
A senior figure familiar with the discussions said the confederations favoured a no-confidence vote but feared that an unsuccessful challenge could demonstrate Infantino’s electoral support and strengthen him ahead of the presidential election. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the AFC had also not immediately responded.
Related coverage: FIFA’s Gianni Infantino rejects allegations linked to UEFA payment.
How an Extraordinary Congress could be called
Under FIFA’s statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time. It must call one if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations submit a written request that specifies the agenda items.
The Congress must then be convened within three months, and each attending association has one vote. The statutes do not set out a specific procedure for a no-confidence vote against the president, leaving the status of any such challenge unresolved in the supplied material.
Infantino retains support despite the crisis
Infantino’s pressure increased after the collapse of the proposed private investment deal. FIFA apologised to member associations over mistakes in handling the proposal, while its leadership reaffirmed full support for him after a crisis meeting in Morocco. Six Arab football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, also publicly backed him.
More context: Uefa faces critical moment to challenge Fifa’s new World Cup funding scheme.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said Infantino continued to have Africa’s support and that FIFA members should decide his future in the election. No challenger had publicly emerged before the November 18 nomination deadline cited in the source material. FIFA Vice President Sandor Csanyi withdrew his support this week, calling the departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour the “final straw”.
Pressure also extends to clubs. European Football Clubs, which represents more than 800 clubs, is aligned with those seeking change and has warned that its members could refuse to participate in future men’s and women’s Club World Cups unless governance and the clubs’ relationship with FIFA are addressed. Clubs do not have a FIFA vote but have sporting and commercial leverage.
Also read: FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in World Cup faces UEFA backlash.
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