Gianni Infantino is facing the most serious political challenge of his FIFA presidency after opposition to a controversial investment plan developed into a wider dispute over the way football’s world governing body is run.
The FIFA president still retains substantial support, but criticism from major continental confederations has raised questions about whether he can remain in office and who might succeed him if his position weakens further.
Only a few weeks ago, Infantino appeared to be at the height of his influence. He travelled between American cities on a private jet to attend World Cup events before standing alongside United States president Donald Trump during the trophy presentation ceremony on 19 July.
The situation changed sharply after Infantino withdrew a proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private-sector investors. The plan triggered widespread opposition across the football community.
Infantino was criticised by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as well as by football supporters. More significantly, major continental confederations began to challenge his methods of leadership.
The criticism came not only from UEFA, but also from Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
The AFC said in a statement that the dispute “goes beyond a single proposal, having exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making mechanisms, issues that require attention”.
Sources told BBC Sport that most members of Concacaf now question Infantino’s ability to continue leading the sport, or have already lost confidence in him.
The crisis was compounded by the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, who had been Infantino’s special adviser and also served as senior adviser to the United States task force preparing for the 2026 World Cup.
Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, told the Associated Press that the organisation itself had been “misled” over the disputed project. FIFA did not issue an official response despite requests from the media.
Infantino still has support
Despite the growing pressure, many observers believe it is too early to predict the immediate end of Infantino’s presidency.
David Bernstein, the former chair of the Football Association, said a leader in a normal organisation would have lost his job after a crisis of this scale. However, he stressed that FIFA operates differently because its president’s survival depends on the support of national associations.
Jim Boyce, a former FIFA vice-president, believes Infantino still has enough backing to win another term. He acknowledged, though, that a continuation of the current situation could alter the balance of power. His personal expectation is that Infantino will remain in office through his next term.
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016, when he defeated AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa by 115 votes to 88.
He was elected after Swiss predecessor Sepp Blatter resigned amid corruption scandals that shook FIFA. Blatter was later cleared of the allegations against him.
Infantino promised to restore trust and reform FIFA when he took office. He was subsequently re-elected twice without opposition, and a similar outcome had been expected at next March’s election.
However, BBC information indicates that one UEFA member has already withdrawn a letter of support previously given to Infantino, suggesting that the position of some former backers is changing.
Potential successors
Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, is regarded as one of the leading possible candidates to replace Infantino.
He was elected in 2016 on a platform of governance reform and played a central role in preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Montagliani also led efforts to organise the 2024 Copa America. He opposed proposals to stage the World Cup every two years or expand the tournament to 64 teams.
He has argued that football is bigger than individuals and political systems, maintaining that the sport will outlast any official.
Sheikh Salman has been president of the Asian Football Confederation since 2013 and was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term, which runs until 2027.
During his leadership, Asian football has introduced the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Women’s Champions League, launched new competitions and expanded the Asian Cup to 24 teams.
He has also been one of the most prominent figures criticising Infantino’s management of FIFA, supported by a confederation representing 46 national associations.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and the European Club Association, is another influential figure in the global game.
He became ECA president after the collapse of the European Super League project and expanded the organisation’s membership to more than 800 clubs. Despite his influence, sources close to Al-Khelaifi say he does not want to stand for the FIFA presidency and is not seriously considering the role.
Mattias Grafstrom has been FIFA secretary general since May 2024 and is considered one of Infantino’s closest allies, having served as the president’s chief of staff since his election in 2016.
Grafstrom’s influence within FIFA has grown, but his close association with Infantino, combined with a possible preference for a president from outside Europe, could reduce his chances of entering the contest.
The FIFA presidency is expected to be decided at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March. The deadline for nominations is 18 November, meaning the coming months could bring one of the most fiercely contested elections in FIFA history.
