International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn plans to sell tournament stakes to private equity firms, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph, amid an escalating leadership crisis that prompted UEFA to issue an ultimatum demanding his resignation or a vote of no confidence.
The sudden reversal comes as global soccer governance fractures over commercial expansion strategies. According to The Telegraph, European football’s governing body delivered the ultimatum, setting the stage for a potential showdown at an extraordinary FIFA congress.
UEFA Ultimatum and Regional Governing Body Pushback
According to UEFA’s official statement released on Saturday, the current FIFA leadership has lost the trust of European soccer administrators and wider members of the global football family. While UEFA’s public statement did not explicitly reiterate the reported resignation ultimatum, the organization took direct aim at Infantino’s administration.
Support for UEFA materialized swiftly on Saturday evening. According to an official statement, Concacaf—which governs soccer across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean—backed the European stance. Concacaf stated that a proposal of this financial magnitude indicates leadership has stopped putting football first.
To force an extraordinary FIFA congress, 20 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations must back the demand. UEFA alone commands 55 national member associations, clearing the threshold to trigger a vote. The next regular FIFA congress is scheduled for March 2027, where Infantino, who has led the organization since 2016, remains the sole declared candidate.
Nordic and African Reactions to FIFA Leadership
Reactions among national federations vary sharply across regions. According to the Danish Football Association, President Jesper Møller stated that Denmark has lost confidence in Infantino, while the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) welcomed the decision to scrap the private equity investment plans.
Norway adopted an even firmer stance. According to Lisa Klaveness, speaking to broadcaster NRK, Norway lost confidence in the FIFA leadership well before the previous election.
Conversely, key World Cup host nations offered public backing. According to official statements, Morocco—a co-host of the 2030 men’s World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, with three matches scheduled in South America—welcomed the withdrawal of the commercial proposal while affirming its support for Infantino’s presidency. Qatar issued a similar statement, with officials writing that President Infantino retains their full backing to grow the game globally ahead of next year’s women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdraw the private equity plans?
According to The Telegraph, the decision to pull back plans for selling stakes in FIFA tournaments was announced overnight leading into Saturday, Swedish time.
How many member associations are required to call an extraordinary FIFA congress?
An extraordinary congress requires backing from 20 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations, with UEFA alone accounting for 55 member nations.
Which national federations support Gianni Infantino?
According to official statements, Morocco and Qatar continue to support Infantino as FIFA president, while Nordic federations including Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have voiced sharp criticism or a lack of confidence.
Did you know? UEFA commands 55 national member associations, which easily exceeds the 20 percent threshold of FIFA’s 211 total members required to trigger an extraordinary congress.
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