In brief
FIFA has been thrown into turmoil as president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in competitions runs into opposition from major football bodies. UEFA has threatened a boycott, while Concacaf and its allies are calling for a full review. While Infantino still retains support, the risk of a no‑confidence vote is rising, with the possibility of an emergency meeting and an extraordinary congress. Candidates like Victor Montagliani or Sheikh Salman could replace him if the vote of no confidence passes. Meanwhile, Infantino is trying to rebuild backing from member associations and sponsors to survive until the March election.
On 1 August 2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was on the brink of a 24‑hour showdown that could see him ousted by elite football bodies. Infantino’s foray to licence and sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors, without consultation, sparked a backlash that put the stability of his leadership in jeopardy.
UEFA, Infantino’s fiercest critic, announced a boycott of all FIFA competitions including the World Cup, a warning that made the football world alarmingly aware of cracks in his power base. In response, Concacaf demanded a full review on Infantino’s leadership while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also expressed discontent, signalling a growing chorus of dissent across continents.
The path to the president’s exit could involve an emergency meeting of the FIFA Council, triggered if 19 of 37 council members call for it. Failing that, an extraordinary congress of the 211 FIFA member associations could be called, requiring 106 votes of no confidence. The unthinkable would be a staggering shift in the FIFA board, forcing Infantino to resign or be replaced.
Uefa’s 55 member nations now hold the power to trigger such a congress; the next question is whether sufficient members can mobilise the required 106 votes. While certain federations (Qatar, Morocco, Egypt) have publicly backed Infantino, a wave of dissent from African, Asian and Concacaf associations could change the calculus. A replacement could emerge from the ranks of candidate leaders like Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, or AFC chairman Sheikh Salman, both of whom enjoy cross‑regional support and a track record of reform.
Infantino’s strategy involves rebuilding support among member associations, and he has already secured backing from Morocco and Egypt, as well as from Qatar’s co‑hosting consortium. However, his position remains fragile, with the looming possibility of sponsors withdrawing, a scenario that could play out in a similar way to the 2015 FIFA scandal.
Gianni Infantino was elected Fifa president in 2016
