Concacaf countries considering withdrawing support for under-fire Gianni Infantino
Several Concacaf countries are weighing whether to formally withdraw their backing for Fifa president Gianni Infantino, mirroring a move already under way in Europe. All 41 Concacaf members had submitted letters endorsing Infantino's re-election before the World Cup, but many are now reconsidering that support after an emergency confederation meeting last Friday, where members reportedly signalled strong alignment with Uefa's push for him to go.
Finland became the first of Fifa's 211 member associations to publicly withdraw its endorsement last Thursday, followed by Wales on Monday, with England's FA also said to have withheld backing. Complicating Concacaf's position are the US, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica's joint bid to host the 2031 Women's World Cup, and speculation that Concacaf president Victor Montagliani could stand against Infantino next March, though he has yet to decide. Meanwhile the Asian Football Confederation appears divided, with Qatar, the UAE and several smaller nations publicly backing Infantino, while most of its 47 members, including Saudi Arabia, have stayed silent.
- Concacaf nations may withdraw support letters for Fifa's Gianni Infantino
- Finland and Wales have already publicly pulled their backing
- Asian confederation split, with Qatar and UAE still backing Infantino
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates for Infantino's removal emphasise FIFA's historical governance failures and the need for transformative leadership to rebuild institutional credibility. They argue that multiple confederations withdrawing support reflects genuine concerns about accountability and transparency rather than mere political positioning, and that fresh leadership is essential to modernise the organisation and ensure it serves member associations fairly rather than entrenched interests.
The case against
Those supporting Infantino's continuation contend that he has implemented meaningful reforms and expanded investment in global football development during his tenure. They argue that coordinated pressure to remove a sitting president risks institutional instability and may reflect regional political interests rather than substantive governance concerns; they emphasise that ongoing projects require continuity and that procedural legitimacy matters as much as reform ambitions.