Pressure is mounting on FIFA President Gianni Infantino after leaders of several major football confederations publicly challenged him over a proposed commercial plan involving the World Cup.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF have strongly criticized Infantino's leadership following the failed proposal to sell a 20% stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors.
The plan was aimed at raising approximately $4.2 billion, but it faced significant opposition and was eventually abandoned by FIFA.
However, the withdrawal of the proposal has not ended the controversy, as the confederations are now calling for an independent investigation into how the matter was handled.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF Challenge Infantino
In a move that has increased pressure within global football's leadership, UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF have accused Infantino of undermining trust among football stakeholders.
The confederations have expressed concerns over the transparency of the process and are calling for an independent investigation that would not be conducted by FIFA itself.
Some officials have gone as far as questioning whether Infantino still has the legitimacy to remain in charge of FIFA, with Norway Football Federation president Lise Klaveness openly calling for his resignation.
Threat of Boycotting FIFA Competitions
The pressure has reportedly gone beyond criticism.
Some football associations are reported to have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions unless there is a clear commitment that a similar proposal to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights will not be revived.
The situation puts FIFA in a difficult position, particularly as the dispute comes shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, a tournament Infantino has strongly defended against his critics.
Infantino Defends Himself
Despite the growing opposition, Infantino still appears to have support from part of FIFA's membership.
FIFA has said that any effort to challenge Infantino should follow the organization's procedures and regulations, while rejecting what it considers attacks on its leadership. Reports indicate that around 70 of FIFA's 211 members have expressed support for Infantino, although opposition remains in some regions.
Pressure Began Before the Rights Dispute
This is not the first time Infantino has faced intense criticism this year.
During the 2026 World Cup, FIFA faced criticism over several issues, including visa challenges affecting some fans and teams, as well as political issues surrounding the tournament's administration in the United States.
At the time, Infantino urged his critics to "calm down" and stressed that FIFA could not control government decisions on immigration and security.
After the tournament ended, Infantino continued to respond to his critics through public statements, accusing some of spreading hatred and misinformation rather than focusing on the successes of the World Cup.
Can Infantino Survive the Controversy?
For now, the biggest question is no longer just about the proposed sale of commercial rights, but also about Infantino's future leadership and his relationship with other football leaders around the world.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF are among the most influential bodies in world football, meaning an open dispute between them and FIFA could have significant consequences for how the organization makes decisions in the future.
For Infantino, the biggest challenge now is to rebuild trust among some of the officials who have opposed him and prevent the divisions from developing into a broader crisis within FIFA.
While FIFA continues to insist that Infantino has the backing of a significant portion of its membership, the pressure appears to be increasing by the day.
