Infantino faces internal revolt as FIFA leadership crumbles

The proposed sale of a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial arm to private investors triggered a fierce backlash, with critics accusing the president of compromising the sport’s integrity. European football leaders at UEFA have openly withdrawn their confidence in his mandate, while internal tension has reached a breaking point. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and COO Kevin Lamour have both distanced staff from the ill-fated project, describing it as the work of a single individual rather than a collective institutional effort.

While Infantino maintains pockets of support among smaller, resource-dependent associations in Africa and Asia, the geopolitical foundation of his presidency is fracturing. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation are reportedly weighing a campaign to force his resignation, potentially exploring the creation of rival competitions. Although no formal challenger has emerged for the March election, the threat of an Extraordinary Congress looms if 43 member associations demand a leadership vote. For now, the Swiss-Italian administrator must navigate a hostile climate where his survival depends on holding together a fractured global coalition against a growing chorus of influential detractors.