Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing growing pressure after European, North and Central American, and Asian football bodies criticised his leadership and threatened to boycott Fifa competitions. The dispute has raised doubts over whether he can retain enough support to secure another term, although the article stresses that Fifa’s political structure may still protect him.

Infantino, 56, has led Fifa since 2016 and has twice been re-elected unopposed; another uncontested election had been expected next March. He first won the presidency by 115 votes to 88 against Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa, while no Fifa president has been defeated in an election since 1974. His adviser Carlos Cordeiro has resigned, and Fifa’s chief operating officer said its administration had been deceived about the disputed project.