UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF mull no-confidence vote against FIFA President Infantino
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Three football confederations, UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, are considering a no-confidence vote against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
- The potential vote stems from Infantino's handling of a failed attempt to sell World Cup shares to private investors, which the confederations criticized for lacking transparency.
- Such a vote would be unprecedented in FIFA's 122-year history, though Infantino retains significant support, including from the CAF, ahead of the 2027 FIFA elections.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces significant pressure as UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF contemplate a no-confidence vote. This unprecedented move follows Infantino's handling of a proposed deal to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors, a plan that drew sharp criticism from the three confederations.
Sources indicate that UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF opposed the proposal from the outset. They specifically criticized FIFA's president for a perceived lack of transparency, consultation, and sound governance in managing the deal. This discontent has fueled discussions about a formal challenge to his leadership.
A no-confidence vote would mark a historic moment for FIFA, as no sitting president has ever faced such a challenge in the organization's 122-year history. According to FIFA's statutes, an Extraordinary Congress can be convened if at least one-fifth of its 211 member associations request it.
Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino has signaled his intention to seek re-election in March 2027 and appears to maintain considerable support among FIFA members, including from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). No opponent has officially declared their candidacy yet, with the deadline for nominations set for November 18.
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.