Why Gianni Infantino Is Far Too Expensive to Remove as FIFA President
A revolt has engulfed the most controversial man in world football. But the coalition he spent a decade building — with money, stadiums, World Cup slots and prize funds — is nowhere close to breaking.
Two weeks ago, Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president looked less like a contest than a coronation.
More than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations had reportedly endorsed him ahead of the vote in Rabat on 18 March 2027. No challenger had declared. He had already been returned unopposed by acclamation in Paris in 2019 and again in Kigali in 2023.
Three days ago, the coronation ended.
On 28 July, FIFA proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary that would house the business and event operations of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions, with a minority stake sold to private investors. Joshua Kushner’s investment vehicle was expected to lead the transaction. FIFA gave all 211 associations until 19 September to decide whether to participate, with tens of millions of dollars in additional funding attached to acceptance.
Europe answered first. On 30 July, all 55 UEFA associations rejected the plan and threatened to boycott every FIFA competition while it remained alive.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade,” UEFA said. “It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Then Concacaf turned. Its 41 associations across North America, Central America and the Caribbean rejected FFE too.
In Asia, the AFC said it had not been consulted and accused FIFA of bypassing the established channels of football governance.
Africa, Latin America and Oceania have been more cautious, promising review and consultation.
Now, the language has turned. Media reports say that Infantino may have scuppered his chances at re-election.
But while Infantino’s presidency is under its greatest pressure, it is not close to being over.
The reason is that Infantino has spent the last decade building a patronage system where those who support him have serious financial incentives to do so.
Will Infantino Fall? Not Yet
Football associations are rebelling against Infantino’s FFE proposal. They have not yet rebelled against Infantino.
