FIFA Faces Growing Rift as Regional Confederations Challenge Infantino's Leadership

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing mounting opposition from several regional football confederations, with reports suggesting key stakeholders are increasingly questioning his leadership amid escalating internal tensions.

According to a report published by The Times of London on Monday, UEFA, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are considering coordinated measures to pressure Infantino to step down. The report said the confederations could seek to paralyse FIFA's operations and even establish separate competitions if he refuses to leave office.

CONCACAF, the AFC and FIFA did not immediately comment on the report, while UEFA declined to offer any remarks.

UEFA has confirmed that it has issued a document preservation letter to FIFA requesting all materials related to Infantino's proposal. The European governing body is also evaluating whether to pursue legal action over the matter.

Despite growing criticism, Infantino continues to receive support from several football administrators in Africa, where he is looking to secure backing from the continent's 54 FIFA member associations. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to announce an official position.

Reports also indicate that three regional confederations have joined forces in an effort to remove Infantino from office.

Meanwhile, five European football associations, including England's Football Association, have officially withdrawn their support for Infantino's re-election at the FIFA Congress scheduled to be held in Morocco next March. Denmark's football federation has also stated that it had no intention of voting for him.

On the other hand, the football associations of Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Sri Lanka have publicly reaffirmed their support for the Swiss-Italian administrator, who has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking to remain in office until 2031.

Infantino has highlighted these endorsements through his Instagram account, while FIFA dismissed as "pure fiction" reports claiming he had sought assistance from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to retain his position.

Although only a limited number of FIFA's 211 member associations have publicly declared their positions, Infantino's proposal appears to have weakened support among several influential regional confederations.

UEFA and CONCACAF issued strongly worded statements on Saturday expressing that they had lost confidence in Infantino's leadership. The AFC stopped short of making the same declaration but described the lack of consultation over the proposal as "totally unacceptable" and called for institutional reforms within FIFA.