Fifa President Gianni Infantino has encountered significant opposition following his decision to scrap plans to monetize competition stakes through private investment. The proposal drew criticism from multiple quarters, including the United Kingdom, fans, and major football governing bodies. European football’s governing body Uefa issued a statement indicating it had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership and threatened to boycott Fifa competitions. The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, similarly expressed concerns about Fifa’s decision-making processes and governance under Infantino’s administration. Additionally, Carlos Cordeiro, a special adviser to Infantino, resigned from his position.
Despite the challenges, analysts suggest Infantino’s position may not be immediately untenable. Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein noted that while a chief executive in a conventional organization would likely be removed following such a significant reversal, Fifa’s structure differs substantially. Former Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce predicted Infantino would retain sufficient support for re-election, though acknowledged uncertainty if current circumstances intensify. Infantino has served as Fifa president since 2016 and has been re-elected unopposed twice previously, with re-election scheduled for next March.
Should Infantino depart, several potential successors have been identified. Victor Montagliani, Concacaf president elected in 2016 on a governance reform platform, represents one possibility. Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who leads the Asian Football Confederation, is another contender and has demonstrated his willingness to oppose Infantino’s initiatives. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chair of the European Football Clubs association, possesses significant influence but reportedly has no interest in the position. Mattias Grafstrom, Fifa’s secretary general appointed in May 2024, could emerge as a candidate, though his close association with Infantino and European background may present obstacles. Fifa’s next presidential election will occur at the organization’s Congress in Morocco next March, with candidate nominations closing on 18 November.
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