Can Infantino Still Win?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's tenure is marred by a lengthy list of scandals, leading to significant opposition from European football authorities. UEFA, the European football confederation, continues to threaten a boycott of FIFA tournaments, even after FIFA withdrew a proposal to partially privatize its championships, the very issue that triggered the boycott threat. Despite this internal turmoil, Infantino's re-election remains a possibility, as some factions within FIFA perceive him as a useful, albeit controversial, leader.

European officials reportedly view Infantino as a "sly devil," while other figures within FIFA see him as a "useful devil." This dichotomy highlights the divided perceptions of his leadership. The situation is further complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump's public defense of Infantino. Trump's support comes at a time when he himself is implicated in a matter that has weakened Infantino's standing. During the summer's World Cup, Trump reportedly contacted Infantino to overturn a ban on a star U.S. player, later boasting that his call had been effective.