FIFA President Gianni Infantino Faces Growing Resistance Ahead of Elections
· Sports · Al Jazeera, BBC Sport, BBC News
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition from national football federations and regional confederations as he prepares for the upcoming presidential elections in six months. The 56-year-old official, who has led FIFA for over a decade, has drawn criticism for his close association with US President Donald Trump and plans to privatise future World Cup events. In December 2025, Infantino presented the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Trump during the World Cup draw in Washington, DC. Following the 2026 tournament, Infantino invited an investor group led by American businessman Joshua Kushner to acquire a stake in future World Cup profits. The initiative triggered strong pushback, including boycott threats from European football federations.
Why it matters
The leadership contest threatens to reshape global football governance and alter financial arrangements for future World Cup tournaments. A successful ouster of Infantino would impact commercial partnerships and tournament structures managed by FIFA.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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