FIFA Leadership Crisis: Which Confederations Support Infantino? 2026

The FIFA leadership crisis intensifies as Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition from key confederations after the bungled World Cup sell-off. Understanding which confederations support or oppose Infantino is crucial for predicting the future of football governance.

Confederation Stance on Infantino's Re-Election

UEFA (Europe): Leading the Opposition

UEFA has firmly led the moves to remove Infantino. The threat to boycott all FIFA competitions if the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme was not scrapped contributed hugely to its failure. In a scathing statement, UEFA said the current leadership had “not only lost UEFA’s confidence, but also that of many other members of the football family.”

Several UEFA member associations, including the English and Welsh FAs, have withdrawn their letters of support. Efforts continue to ensure others follow suit, aiming to weaken Infantino’s position irretrievably.

AFC (Asia): Divided but Potentially Pivotal

Reports of AFC support for UEFA are premature; the confederation is divided. The AFC has spoken out strongly against the proposed World Cup deal and called for reform. While the AFC leadership was genuinely angry at how the proposal was made, most individual Asian federations do not want Infantino replaced. The AFC president, Sheikh Salman, has ambitions of his own.

Key Factors in the Power Struggle

The outcome depends on whether UEFA can rally enough support from other confederations. Concacaf (North and Central America) has historically been close to Infantino, but its stance may shift. CAF (Africa) and CONMEBOL (South America) have received significant funding under Infantino, which could secure their loyalty.

Will an Election Contest Actually Happen?

Infantino’s re-election is not guaranteed. If UEFA and AFC unite against him, his position becomes untenable. However, many smaller federations benefit from FIFA’s funding and may resist change. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether a challenger emerges.

Key Takeaways

• UEFA is the main driver of opposition, with several FAs withdrawing support.
• AFC is divided, but its leadership could switch sides if Infantino appears weak.
• CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC are likely to support Infantino due to financial incentives.
• Concacaf’s stance is uncertain, but it may side with UEFA for geopolitical reasons.
• An election contest is possible if UEFA secures enough backing from other confederations.

FAQ