Gianni Infantino’s position as FIFA president has come under renewed scrutiny after he abandoned plans for a controversial commercial venture, amid opposition from UEFA and the loss of support from influential investors and senior officials.
Infantino withdrew from the FIFA Forward Enterprise project after acknowledging that it had “created divisions”. The proposal would have established a new commercial body partly funded by private investment funds, with each of FIFA’s member associations offered $40m in return for joining.
According to talkSPORT, the decision followed a threat from UEFA to boycott FIFA competitions if the project went ahead.
Infantino’s position was further weakened when investor Joshua Kushner and JPMorgan withdrew their backing within 48 hours. FIFA’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro also resigned, while chief operating officer Kevin Lamour accused the FIFA president of having “misled staff”.
The developments have prompted UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to consider asking European associations that submitted written support for Infantino – believed to number more than 40 – to withdraw their backing.
Senior figures at the Football Association, speaking anonymously, have also discussed whether to remove their official endorsement of Infantino. The FA previously issued a statement calling for “a full and rigorous review of the leadership and governance of FIFA, to ensure the global game is run transparently, in the interests of all 211 member associations and for the long term”.
The German Football Association remains opposed to Infantino standing for re-election, while the football associations of Norway, Poland, France, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Mexico and Jordan are preparing meetings to decide their positions.
Possible challengers for 2027
There is growing support within UEFA for preventing Infantino from standing again in the 2027 FIFA presidential election, or at least defeating him if he enters the contest, according to the talkSPORT report.
UEFA has 55 votes in the FIFA Congress. A candidate needs 106 votes to win in the second round, while victory in the first round requires a two-thirds majority, or 141 votes.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, a Canadian, is considered to have ambitions of becoming FIFA president. A source close to him told talkSPORT: “He was always focused on his re-election at CONCACAF next year, and it is interesting that the CONCACAF and UEFA votes together (96 votes) need only 10 additional votes to win the FIFA presidency.”
Another potential candidate is Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who has the support of several UEFA associations. However, a source close to the Paris Saint-Germain president insisted that he “has no ambition” to stand in the election.
FIFA secretary general Matthias Grafstrom is also regarded as one of the leading names who could succeed Infantino.
Infantino’s withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise marks a significant setback for the president, whose proposed commercial model faced criticism from within the international football community. The debate over his future is now expected to intensify as associations assess their position ahead of the 2027 vote.
