Conmebol President Backs Infantino: 'His Great Work Cannot Be Ignored'

Alejandro Domínguez, president of South American football confederation CONMEBOL, has reaffirmed his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing him as the "leader of football's transformation." Domínguez's endorsement came in Cali, Colombia, where he met with local officials and attended the inauguration of Colombia's president.

Domínguez specifically lauded Infantino's handling of the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, stating it was "more successful than I expected." This praise comes amid recent controversy surrounding Infantino's proposal to privatize a portion of FIFA's commercial operations through a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The proposal faced significant opposition from UEFA and other confederations before FIFA announced it was withdrawing the plan after listening to stakeholders.

Despite the withdrawal of the privatization bid, Infantino's leadership remains a topic of discussion. Several confederations have expressed opposition to his continued presidency, while others, including the African Football Confederation (CAF), the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and the Mexican Football Federation, have publicly backed him. FIFA elections are scheduled for March 18, 2027, and Infantino has so far indicated his intention to seek re-election.

Domínguez acknowledged that disagreements can occur, stating, "we must continue working for football with dialogue, even if we do not always agree." He emphasized CONMEBOL's commitment to the "health and stability of football" and its ongoing transformation under Infantino's guidance. The CONMEBOL president's strong backing provides a significant boost to Infantino as he navigates the aftermath of the privatization controversy and looks towards the next FIFA presidential election.