Infantino finds support in Argentina, Mexico, and CAF after World Cup privatization controversy

FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears to be navigating a period of truce after facing significant criticism, primarily from UEFA, regarding his now-abandoned plan to privatize the World Cup.

Infantino's week was described as his "toughest" as FIFA president, marked by a wave of opposition to his privatization project. However, after withdrawing the plan just a week prior, he has since garnered support from influential bodies like the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and key countries such as Argentina and Mexico, which represent major forces in South American (CONMEBOL) and North American (CONCACAF) football.

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The UEFA has lost the confidence in the presidency

A crisis committee convened in Rabat addressed the controversy. Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom sent a letter to all 211 FIFA member associations, appealing for leniency and pledging to prevent similar scenarios in the future. This move seems to have appeased some of the football world's geopolitical players.

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The support of the AFA - to Infantino- is not surprising. The personalized way of exercising power, the lack of checks and balances, and the confusion between institution and leader that characterize Gianni Infantino's management bear too many resemblances to Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia’s model.

Despite this apparent de-escalation, UEFA has reiterated its strong opposition, stating it has "lost confidence in the presidency." Former footballer Luis Figo, an advisor to UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, has called for Infantino's resignation. Javier Tebas, president of Spain's LaLiga, also sharply criticized Infantino and the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia. Tebas noted similarities between Infantino's leadership style and Tapia's, characterized by a personalized exercise of power and a blurring of lines between the institution and the leader.

Infantino is preparing for re-election as FIFA president at the ordinary FIFA Congress in Rabat on March 18, 2027. While a potential extraordinary congress was raised amid the initial backlash, it does not currently seem likely. The situation remains dynamic, with Infantino seeking to consolidate his position following the recent controversy.

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Asking for forgiveness does not replace accountability.