Thierry Henry says players ‘have more power than they think’ amid Fifa scandals
Thierry Henry has urged footballers to recognise and use their collective influence as Fifa faces mounting scrutiny over multiple scandals, including reports that president Gianni Infantino sought to sell off the 2026 World Cup's commercial rights. Speaking to the Guardian alongside CBS Sports colleagues Kate Scott and Jamie Carragher ahead of the new Champions League broadcast season, Henry argued that players "have all the power if they want to" but often fail to realise or exercise it, pointing to examples from US sports such as the NBA and NFL where player action has forced leagues to respond.
Fifa has come under sustained criticism in the past month, with Uefa reportedly exploring legal options against Infantino. Scott drew parallels with the failed 2021 European Super League project, suggesting much of world football now wants a change in the Fifa presidency but is unsure how to achieve it, given Infantino's skill as a "power broker" who has secured re-election twice since 2016 without a challenger. The next presidential vote is due on 18 March 2027, and no rival candidate has yet come forward.
In short
- Henry says players underestimate their power to reshape football's governance
- Fifa under scrutiny amid World Cup 2026 scandals and Infantino criticism
- Next Fifa presidential election set for 18 March 2027, no challenger yet
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Players have substantial collective influence because their participation gives football its value, and coordinated action could press Fifa to answer for its decisions or pursue reform. Examples from US sport suggest that organised players can sometimes make governing bodies respond, while leaving change solely to officials may not address players’ concerns.
The case against
Collective action could give players a meaningful voice, but using it may be difficult across countries, clubs and competitions with different interests and risks. Players may also judge that direct protest or withdrawal could disrupt competitions and livelihoods without securing reform, making sustained engagement through existing football institutions a more practical course.
Explained simply
Fifa is football’s international governing body, responsible for organising the men’s and women’s World Cups and setting rules for the game worldwide. Its president, Gianni Infantino, leads the organisation and is elected by Fifa’s member associations, which are national football bodies.
Players are central to football, but decisions about the sport are usually made by governing bodies, clubs and leagues. In some other sports, such as basketball and American football in the US, players have acted together to press their leagues for changes.
Disputes over who controls football can affect how the game is run and how its major competitions are organised. The debate also raises questions about how much influence players and national associations have over Fifa’s leadership.
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