Infantino’s Position Under Scrutiny
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing increased scrutiny regarding his leadership of the organisation. Recent developments suggest a challenging period for the president, who was seen handing over the World Cup trophy on July 19. Less than two weeks later, concerns about his governance have emerged from various football bodies.
The European governing body Uefa has reportedly threatened a boycott of Fifa competitions, a stance reinforced by Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) and the AFC (Asia). These three organisations have offered critical assessments of Fifa’s operations under Infantino. The AFC stated that issues extend beyond a single proposal, highlighting fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that require attention.
Sources indicate that a significant majority of Concacaf members are either losing faith in Infantino’s ability to govern or have already lost it. Further adding to the pressure, Carlos Cordeiro, a special advisor to Infantino and senior advisor to the White House Task Force on the 2026 World Cup, has resigned. Kevin Lamour, Fifa’s chief operating officer, stated that Fifa’s administration was “deceived” regarding a particular project.
Potential Successors and Challenges
Despite the current challenges, some believe Infantino might retain his position. Jim Boyce, a former Fifa vice-president, thinks Infantino will likely have enough support for re-election, though he acknowledges that the situation could change if current trends persist. Infantino, who has been Fifa president since 2016 and was previously Uefa’s secretary general for seven years, has been re-elected unopposed twice before.
The next Fifa president will be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March, with candidates having until November 18 to put their names forward. Several individuals are considered potential candidates should Infantino’s tenure conclude.
One prominent figure is Victor Montagliani, the Concacaf president. Elected in 2016 on a platform of governance reform, Montagliani, a former president of Canada Soccer, played a significant role in the lead-up to and delivery of the 2026 World Cup. He is fluent in multiple languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and English. Montagliani has expressed that the game is resilient, stating, “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.”
Another potential candidate is Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president. Elected in 2013 and unopposed for a fourth term until 2027, Sheikh Salman has overseen substantial growth within the Asian confederation, including the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024-25 and the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams. He has also been critical of Fifa’s management under Infantino, leading a 46-member confederation that is aware of the financial implications of Infantino’s plans.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of PSG and chair of European Football Clubs (EFC), was also mentioned as a potential successor. However, Al-Khelaifi has ruled out any bid to succeed Infantino in the 2027 elections. An official spokesperson for the Qatari stated that he has “no ambition, intention or interest in this position at Fifa, nor in all this media noise.” Al-Khelaifi chairs the EFC, which represents over 800 clubs across Europe, and has been a member of the Uefa Executive Committee for many years.
Mattias Grafstrom, Fifa secretary general since May 2024, is another individual with increasing influence within Fifa. He became Infantino’s chief of staff following his election in 2016. However, his close association with Infantino and the general sentiment that Fifa’s next president should not be European could be factors against him. The deadline for candidates to put their names forward for the next presidential election is November 18.
Source: bbc.com
