Infantino Faces FIFA Revolt as Clubs and Confederations Demand Reform

Infantino under fire as FIFA splits ahead of 2027 vote

FIFA’s $15B World Cup windfall overshadowed by governance scandal.

“You can't put the ketchup back,” FIFA crisis deepens after COO exit...

Senior sources said that football’s major regional bodies are discussing a possible vote of no confidence to remove FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The move comes after Infantino reportedly upset them with a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

According to those sources, UEFA from Europe, the AFC in Asia, and CONCACAF - which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean are all considering backing the proposal. Reuters reported there is no record in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress ever holding a vote of no confidence against a sitting president.

“There is no way out,” one source said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. “Either he goes the peaceful way and decides not to stand in March or he goes the hard way.”

Under FIFA’s rules, the FIFA Council has the power to call an Extraordinary Congress at any time. The Council must also convene one if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations send a written request listing the items they want added to the agenda.

An Extraordinary Congress would then need to be held within three months, with every association present getting one vote. FIFA’s statutes do not include any specific rule covering a vote of no confidence in the president.

FIFA did not reply to Reuters’ request for comment.

UEFA also avoided commenting directly on whether a no-confidence vote was being discussed. Instead it pointed to its earlier statement calling for a “thorough and fundamental” review of FIFA’s leadership and governance, adding that “no option should be off the table.”

CONCACAF also declined to comment directly and pointed Reuters to a previous joint statement with UEFA and the AFC that accused FIFA’s leadership of a fundamental breach of trust. The AFC did not respond to a request for comment right away.

Growing Backlash, But Infantino Still Has Backers

Infantino has stated he plans to run for re-election at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027, and he continues to enjoy strong backing from many of FIFA’s 211 member associations, including Africa’s CAF.

FIFA has since issued an apology to its members over how it handled the World Cup investment proposal. Last week, six Arab football federations including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, publicly voiced their support for Infantino.

Following a crisis meeting in Morocco earlier this month, FIFA’s leadership also reaffirmed its full backing for the president.

UEFA welcomes FIFA’s withdrawal of plans to sell a stake in the World Cup

— UEFA (@UEFA) August 1, 2026

A senior insider said that although UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF support the idea of a no-confidence vote, there is concern it could backfire. If the vote failed, it could end up strengthening Infantino, showing he still has electoral backing and putting him in a stronger spot ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Infantino has faced mounting pressure following the breakdown of his plan to sell a minority stake in a new FIFA commercial company to private investors. That company was meant to manage the commercial rights to the World Cup, football’s biggest tournament.

FIFA projects that revenue for the 2023-2026 cycle will surpass $15 billion, with most of it coming in during the 2026 World Cup year.

Three of FIFA’s six continental confederations UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF, rejected the proposal. They have since issued strong criticism of Infantino’s handling of it, pointing to a lack of transparency, consultation and proper governance.

Tensions escalated further this week with the exit of FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour. Lamour had spoken out against the investment plan and claimed staff had been “deceived” about what he called “the project of one person.” FIFA did not give a reason for his departure.

FIFA Vice President Sandor Csanyi also pulled his support for Infantino this week, calling Lamour’s exit the “final straw.”

FIFA leadership holds constructive and positive meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

More details: https://t.co/6orsmB5FMb pic.twitter.com/8SQgVzUF1z

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 5, 2026

Infantino Still Holds Key Support In Africa

Despite the pushback, those opposing Infantino still face major hurdles. 

No candidate has come forward publicly ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline, and Infantino continues to have support within sections of FIFA’s membership.

“They should tell us what they are going to bring. As the Malawi FA, I need to understand what they are going to bring to Malawi.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said last week that Africa remains behind Infantino, adding that his future should ultimately be decided by FIFA members through the election.

The now-scrapped investment plan would have allowed member associations to receive up to $20 million in a single capital payment. The funding was earmarked for areas including infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots development and the women’s game.

“Those who are ready to fight Infantino at the ballot box should come out into the open,” Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya said last week.

“They should tell us what they are going to bring. As the Malawi FA, I need to understand what they are going to bring to Malawi.”

The CAF Executive Committee (“EXCO”) unanimously endorses the “Joint Update” by the FIFA President and Secretary General on the FIFA Forward Enterprise and will continue to focus on making African Football amongst the best in the world and adhering to governance and transparency…

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) August 6, 2026

Clubs Add Weight To Calls For FIFA Reform

The pressure on Infantino isn’t limited to those who hold a vote at FIFA.

According to a source familiar with the talks, the European Football Clubs association, led by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and representing more than 800 teams, is backing UEFA and other groups pushing for change at FIFA.

EFC has told FIFA its members may boycott future men’s and women’s Club World Cups if concerns over governance and the relationship between clubs and FIFA are not resolved.

While clubs don’t have a vote in FIFA elections, they carry significant influence both on the pitch and commercially.

Michael Payne, former marketing chief at the International Olympic Committee, said that even if Infantino wins the election, it may not be enough to heal the divisions within the game.

No FIFA sponsor has gone public with criticism of Infantino amid the crisis.

“Sponsors are raising their eyebrows saying, ‘How ⁠can you manage to have such a successful World Cup and then shoot yourself ⁠in the foot afterwards?’” Payne said.

According to a senior figure familiar with the talks about a no-confidence vote, the harm has already been done: “You can’t put the ketchup back in the bottle.”