Global Power Base: Where FIFA’s Infantino Finds Support Outside Europe

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces mounting political fractures across European football federations ahead of the March 2027 leadership vote, according to official statements and reports from national associations. While Infantino has historically consolidated his power base outside Europe—particularly across Africa and Asia, which together control 100 of the 211 total votes—recent commercial proposals regarding private investment in the World Cup have exposed deep regional divisions.

Uefa and European Federations Split Over Leadership Confidence

European football’s governing body, Uefa, reacted sharply when Infantino’s private investment plans surfaced, with European officials initially threatening a tournament bojkott, according to Uefa communications. Although the controversial business plan was eventually scrapped, Uefa maintained that trust in the FIFA boss is broken. Prior to the dispute, 50 of 55 European member associations submitted letters supporting Infantino’s re-election in March 2027. However, national bodies including England, Wales, the Netherlands, and Finland subsequently withdrew their backing. Sweden’s football association announced it will not support Infantino and plans to coordinate with Uefa peers to field an alternative candidate.

Asia and the Middle East Deliver Mixed Reactions

Asian reactions to FIFA’s governance remain sharply divided following the collapse of the commercial strategy. According to official statements, Qatar—the 2022 World Cup host and a member of the 46-strong Asian Football Confederation (AFC)—reaffirmed its “full support” for the Swiss administrator. Similar endorsements came from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Conversely, the AFC strongly criticized the business plan before it was shelved. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa welcomed the cancellation of the proposal, though he did not comment on the FIFA presidency. Jordan’s football association issued direct criticism over unpaid prize money from the 2025 Arab Championship, with FA President Prince Ali bin al-Hussein writing on X that Jordan has never supported Infantino and will not start now.

African and American Federations Adopt Reticent Stance

The Confederation of African Football (Caf), representing 54 member associations, has remained publicly silent since the middle of last week, though isolated national bodies such as Morocco—co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal—have voiced ongoing backing for Infantino. In South America, Conmebol’s 10 member associations have not issued public statements since the privatization plan was abandoned. Conmebol President Alejandro Domínguez previously floated expanding the World Cup to 64 teams by 2030, a concept Infantino stated would be formally reviewed by FIFA. Meanwhile, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani of Canada remains a frequently cited potential challenger to Infantino, as North and Central American federations maintain their critical stance on the recent governance proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next FIFA presidential election?

The election will take place at the ordinary FIFA congress in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027, with the nomination deadline set for November 18.

How many votes are needed to win a FIFA presidential election?

All 211 FIFA member associations hold a single vote at the congress, though they do not vote in rigid voting blocks.

Which regional bodies have challenged Gianni Infantino?

Uefa and Concacaf expressed strong opposition to recent commercial proposals, with several European nations withdrawing their prior re-election support and committing to find an opposing candidate.