Gianni Infantino’s position as FIFA president is under growing scrutiny after UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC criticised the way the organisation is being run and raised the prospect of boycotting FIFA competitions.
Infantino appeared to be at the height of his influence earlier this month, travelling across the United States by private jet as the World Cup reached its climax. On 19 July, he joined United States president Donald Trump in presenting the trophy to Spain.
However, less than two weeks later, his position looks considerably more isolated after he was forced to abandon controversial plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.
Criticism from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and supporters concerned about the future of the sport could be dismissed as an occupational hazard. The threatened boycott by European governing body UEFA is more serious, particularly after it received support from Concacaf, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the AFC, the Asian Football Confederation.
All three organisations delivered highly critical assessments of FIFA’s leadership under Infantino.
“This issue extends far beyond a single proposal,” said the AFC. “Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed.”
Sources say most Concacaf members have either lost faith in Infantino’s ability to govern the sport or are close to doing so.
Infantino has also lost the support of Carlos Cordeiro, his special adviser and the senior adviser to the White House Task Force on the 2026 World Cup. Cordeiro, appointed to the White House role by Trump, has resigned.
FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour told the Associated Press that the organisation’s own administration had been “deceived” about the project.
BBC Sport has approached FIFA for comment.
Infantino still expected to have support
Despite the turmoil, there is no guarantee that Infantino will be removed. He has been FIFA president since 2016, having previously served as UEFA secretary general for seven years, and is regarded as one of football’s most experienced political operators.
Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein told BBC Sport this week: “In a normal organisation, if he has to back down due to something of this magnitude he’d probably be shown the door.
“But Fifa is not a normal organisation. If he has the support of enough of the national associations, he will continue.”
Former FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce believes Infantino will “still have enough support” to win re-election, although he added: “If things continue at the pace they are continuing, who knows?”
He said: “If I was a betting man, which I’m not, I would still bet he will get his final four-year term.”
Infantino, now 56, became FIFA president after defeating Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa by 115 votes to 88. He was elected after predecessor Sepp Blatter resigned amid corruption allegations. Blatter was cleared of corruption charges last year.
“I will work tirelessly to bring football back to Fifa and Fifa back to football,” Infantino said after winning the election.
He has since been re-elected unopposed twice and was expected to face no opposition again at the FIFA Congress in March. Uncontested elections are not unusual at FIFA: Blatter was unopposed in 2007 and 2011.
Joao Havelange was the last challenger to remove an incumbent FIFA president, defeating Sir Stanley Rous in 1974. Havelange then served five consecutive terms without opposition before resigning in 1998 at the age of 82.
Letters backing Infantino’s re-election have already been submitted, but it is unclear whether they will remain in place. BBC Sport knows of at least one UEFA member that has withdrawn its letter since the latest controversy emerged.
Who could replace Infantino?
Victor Montagliani
The Concacaf president is one possible successor. Like Infantino, Victor Montagliani was elected in 2016 on a platform of governance reform.
The former president of Canada Soccer played a major role in the build-up to and delivery of the 2026 World Cup, which will be the first edition hosted by three countries. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Explaining his decision to stand for the Concacaf presidency to BC Business, Montagliani said: “Like anything, when I decide to go, I go. I campaigned on my own dime for three months, went to see all 41 countries, from the US to Bonaire, a little island off Venezuela.”
He took a leading role when Concacaf hosted an expanded Copa America in 2024, although he told BBC Sport he did not expect that event to become a regular fixture.
Politically, Montagliani helped ease tensions surrounding Arsene Wenger’s efforts to build support for a World Cup every two years. He has also never fully supported the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams.
Speaking at the Leaders conference in 2025, he said: “The game is bigger than world current leaders,” he said. “Football will survive regimes. Does it cause a headache? Of course. You have to be realistic about that. That is the beauty of our game, it is bigger than any individual and country.”
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
Sheikh Salman has led the AFC since first being elected in 2013 and was returned unopposed for a fourth term that runs until 2027.
During his time in charge, the Asian confederation has overseen substantial growth, including the introduction of the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, the AFC Challenge League and the AFC Women’s Champions League, which began in the 2024-25 season. The Asian Cup has also been expanded to 24 teams.
Sheikh Salman approved the AFC’s severe criticism of FIFA’s leadership. He also retains the backing of a 46-member confederation, many of whose members understand how significant the financial figures in Infantino’s abandoned plan would be in relation to their existing football budgets.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of European Football Clubs, could theoretically present a serious challenge.
He became chairman of the European Clubs’ Association after the attempted European Super League collapsed within 48 hours in 2021, an episode that threatened to create another major split in football.
Under his leadership, the organisation changed its name to European Football Clubs and expanded to more than 800 members. Of the major clubs, only Real Madrid remain outside it.
However, Al-Khelaifi does not appear interested in becoming FIFA president.
“He genuinely, genuinely, genuinely doesn’t want the job,” a source close to the 52-year-old said when asked about the possibility on Thursday.
Mattias Grafstrom
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has become an increasingly influential figure since his appointment in May 2024.
A multilingual administrator, Grafstrom became Infantino’s chief of staff after the Swiss-Italian’s election as FIFA president in 2016. He was also a prominent presence during the World Cup.
His close association with Infantino could count against him if the organisation seeks a clear break with the current leadership. There is also a broad perception that FIFA’s next president should come from outside Europe.
FIFA’s next president will be confirmed at its 77th Congress in Morocco next March. Potential candidates must submit their names by 18 November.
