FIFA
- by Onyekachi Uwanabi
- 3 August 2026
UEFA president Alexander Ceferin has called on European football associations to reconsider their support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino (the Sun).
This comes after the collapse of a controversial World Cup commercial proposal that has shaken confidence in FIFA’s leadership.
Infantino recently abandoned plans to create a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
FFE would have managed and commercialised several of the organisation’s most valuable assets, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup.
The proposal drew widespread criticism across global football, with many arguing it placed commercial interests ahead of the sport itself.
UEFA was the strongest opponent of the plan and even discussed the possibility of boycotting the World Cup if Infantino moved forward with it.
The European governing body was backed by CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, creating enough resistance for FIFA to eventually drop the idea.
After shelving the proposal, Infantino admitted it had caused unnecessary divisions within football and could no longer continue.
However, the decision has done little to repair relations with UEFA, which believes the episode has damaged trust in FIFA’s leadership.
Ceferin now wants UEFA’s member associations to withdraw the letters of support they had previously given Infantino ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.
More than 200 FIFA member associations have backed him for another term, including over 40 from Europe, including the English Football Association.
Infantino has also faced criticism over several other decisions in recent months.
These include FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, the introduction of hydration breaks during matches, and plans for a 30-minute halftime entertainment show at the World Cup final.
The speculation over Infantino’s future as FIFA president has now opened the door for discussions about potential successors.
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has emerged as one of the leading candidates despite previously being considered a close ally of Infantino.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has also been mentioned, although Qatar Football Association backing for Infantino could influence any future leadership contest.
Recent Posts
- Fulham complete joint-record signing of ‘talented’ Gonzalo García from Real Madrid
- Manchester United not pursuing move for Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly
- Coventry among three Premier League clubs interested in Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk
- Fenerbahce ready to break the bank for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford
- UEFA president urges European nations to revoke Gianni Infantino support as FIFA chief faces calls to resign
- West Ham confirm Amanda Staveley has agreed a deal to buy 25.1% stake in the club
- Chelsea table new bid for Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria
- Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes set to join Arsenal in £80m deal
- ‘Sometimes he wants to leave’ – De Zerbi speaks on Richarlison’s Tottenham future
- Asian confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in rejecting FIFA’s World Cup sell-off plan before Infantino’s U-turn
Topics
More in FIFA
- Asian confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in rejecting FIFA’s World Cup sell-off plan before Infantino’s U-turn The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) were the last to join UEFA and CONCACAF in...
- FIFA abandon $20bn World Cup sell-off plan after investors pull out, CONCACAF president set to challenge Infantino for presidency FIFA have abandoned plans to sell a minority stake in its commercial business after...
- US and Canada join FIFA revolt against World Cup sell-off plan The United States and Canada have joined the growing revolt against FIFA’s plans to...
- Infantino is losing the battle to remain FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing the most serious challenge to his decade-long leadership of FIFA,...
- FIFA launch disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over Falklands banner and assault in World Cup final FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina following a series of incidents that took...
- UEFA threatens FIFA World Cup boycott over Infantino-led private investment plan UEFA has warned that its 55 member nations will boycott FIFA competitions if president...
- Football’s worst ideas: Game 39, Club World Cup, European Super League & more Football’s status as the world’s most popular sport is unrivalled, despite what fans of...
- FIFA’s history of corruption, scandals and controversies FIFA’s recent announcement of plans to sell the commercial rights to its tournaments to...
Source: Footballtoday.com
