FIFA President Infantino Secures Support from Six Arab Football Federations

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has garnered support from six Arab football federations, including Qatar, as he seeks re-election next year. This backing comes despite ongoing criticism regarding a failed plan to sell rights for FIFA tournaments to private investors.

The six federations, Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritania, and Sudan, issued a joint statement affirming their "full support" for the 56-year-old Swiss official. They expressed "confidence in his leadership and his continuous commitment to the global development of football." The signatories also pledged to "continue working closely with him to shape a stronger and more successful future for world football, creating opportunities and further increasing the contribution of Arab football to this global game."

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We, the undersigned leaders of our football federations, declare that we fully support Mr. Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and his continuous commitment to the global development of football.

This support contrasts with calls for new leadership from the continental confederations of Europe (UEFA), Asia (AFC), and North, Central America, and Caribbean (Concacaf). These organizations sent an open letter urging a fresh start for the world football governing body. While these confederations represent 136 of FIFA's 211 member nations, the support from the Arab bloc indicates a division within the global football community.

Qatar, a former World Cup host, had previously expressed its support for Infantino. Some Asian countries and Mexico from the Concacaf region also continue to back him. A significant portion of Africa, comprising 54 members, also stands by the FIFA president. However, the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), with ten member nations, remains undecided. Meanwhile, UEFA, the largest and most influential confederation, continues to openly threaten a boycott of the World Cup.

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continue working closely with him to shape a stronger and more successful future for world football, creating opportunities and further increasing the contribution of Arab football to this global game.