The battle for control of world football is heating up. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing criticism and mounting opposition as he prepares to seek another term in office.
Infantino, 56, has come under renewed pressure following the collapse of a controversial proposal aimed at bringing private investment into FIFA’s competitions. Despite the setback and increasing resistance from several major football confederations, the FIFA president remains determined to continue his leadership and pursue re-election.
POWERFUL CONFEDERATIONS TURN AGAINST INFANTINO
Opposition to Infantino has become increasingly visible. The leadership of UEFA, representing 55 European member associations, AFC in Asia with 46 members, and CONCACAF, representing 35 associations across North and Central America and the Caribbean, have all expressed strong reservations about his continued leadership.
Together, these three confederations represent 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, giving them significant influence ahead of the election. However, the opposition remains divided, meaning Infantino still has a clear path to securing another mandate.
THE BATTLE FOR VOTES
The FIFA election is scheduled to take place in Morocco in March, with a two-thirds majority — 140 votes — reportedly required in the first round. If no candidate reaches that threshold, a second round would require more than half of FIFA’s membership, meaning 105 votes.
Infantino continues to enjoy support from several Asian associations as well as Mexico within the CONCACAF region.
Africa, which has 54 FIFA members, remains broadly supportive of the Swiss administrator, while South America’s CONMEBOL, representing 10 associations, has so far maintained a more cautious position.
Meanwhile, UEFA has continued to signal that it could consider significant measures, including the possibility of a World Cup boycott, if its concerns are not addressed.
OCEANIA COULD HOLD THE KEY
Infantino may have received a major boost in his battle for re-election.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), which has 11 members, has officially backed the FIFA president following a meeting of its executive committee in Fiji.
That support could prove extremely valuable as Infantino attempts to build the majority required to remain in office.
The OFC said it recognised what it described as the progress achieved by FIFA over the past decade, providing Infantino with an important bloc of votes.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKS RANKS
However, the Oceania bloc is far from united.
New Zealand Football, the region’s largest member, has publicly taken a different position from the OFC’s collective stance.
NZ Football said that, after carefully considering the situation, it believed certain decisions and actions within FIFA had contributed to a loss of trust and increasing divisions within international football.
The organisation has called for an independent review aimed at restoring confidence in FIFA’s leadership and governance.
THE ELECTION BATTLE IS FAR FROM OVER
With powerful confederations challenging Infantino, traditional allies continuing to support him and individual associations taking different positions, the race for FIFA’s presidency is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
The crucial question is whether the opposition can unite behind a credible alternative — or whether Infantino can assemble enough support from Africa, Asia, Oceania and other regions to secure another term.
The fight for the future of world football is no longer just about one election. It is becoming a wider battle over FIFA’s leadership, governance, financial ambitions and relationship with its member associations.
The coming months could determine whether Infantino strengthens his grip on global football — or faces the biggest challenge of his presidency.
