FIFA President Gianni Infantino is rapidly losing support from member associations for re-election
Infantino is quickly losing support among FIFA member associations
According to reports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is rapidly losing support from member associations for his re-election.
Unions such as UEFA and Concacaf oppose his plans to sell commercial rights for events like the World Cup, with UEFA even threatening to boycott FIFA events. Multiple sources indicate that most member associations have lost confidence in his leadership, challenging what was previously seen as a stable re-election prospect.
After widespread backlash, the proposal to sell commercial rights was withdrawn, with funds and power shifting from FIFA's center to regional associations; the incident has driven controversies over governance transparency, benefiting European and North American associations advocating for reform, while putting pressure on Infantino's re-election campaign.
Source: Public information
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Since being elected FIFA president in 2016, Infantino has consolidated his position by expanding events and commercial revenue, previously gaining support from over 200 member associations for a fourth term; however, his recent push to establish a commercial entity and sell 20% equity was seen as a "secret deal" due to lack of adequate consultation, prompting a full boycott threat from UEFA and clear opposition from Concacaf.
After the proposal was withdrawn, advisors resigned and internal criticism intensified, motivated to alleviate the immediate crisis but damaging trust; this mirrors the path of former president Blatter, who resigned amid scandal, with funds returning from potential private investments to association distribution commitments, shifting power towards regional associations.
This crisis resembles the club and association dynamics during the collapse of the European Super League; FIFA is currently transitioning from strongman leadership to a system of checks and balances, with the re-election now becoming competitive rather than a foregone conclusion.
Essentially, this reflects a concentration of capital and regulatory changes: the impulse for commercialization touches the core interests of associations, forcing governance to shift from centralized decision-making to transparent consultation, accelerating the transfer of power from individuals to the collective of members.
ABAB News · Cognitive Laws
Secret deals are the biggest killer of trust
Boycott threats are more powerful than votes
Excessive commercialization will ultimately backfire on the power center