FIFA President Gianni Infantino will convene a crisis meeting with top FIFA officials in Morocco on Wednesday as he attempts to regain control following the failure of his proposal to sell commercial rights for the World Cup. The plan faced widespread criticism and personal attacks after being presented to FIFA's 211 member associations last week.
A primary concern among critics was the proposed sale of 20% of a new commercial rights body to private investors for $4.2 billion, which also involved a company with familial ties to U.S. President Donald Trump. Infantino's decision to withdraw the proposal on Friday has not quelled the dissent, particularly from UEFA, the European confederation, which accused him of compromising the integrity of the sport and expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership.
This situation has cast a shadow over Infantino's expected reelection for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March in Morocco. While previously considered a near certainty, his position is now uncertain.
A number of European federations have rescinded their support for Infantino. Compounding the issue, internal FIFA communications suggest a fracturing of support within the organization. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom reportedly sent an internal memo to staff acknowledging a "sad and reproachable series of events" that led to the project's permanent abandonment. He emphasized the enduring nature of the institution over individual leaders. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour similarly stated that staff had been "deceived" by the plan, characterizing it as "the project of one person."
Infantino's senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned in protest of the plan last week. Additionally, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger distanced himself from the proposal, stating he was not involved in its development and that its withdrawal was "absolutely necessary."
Infantino has spent the past week in Morocco, a co-host of the 2030 World Cup, where the national football association has publicly reaffirmed its support for him. The meeting on Wednesday is expected to prioritize ensuring Infantino can navigate the seven months leading up to the election.
Reports suggest that UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are exploring options to remove Infantino from office, potentially by paralyzing FIFA's operations or even initiating their own competitions. CONCACAF and the AFC have aligned with UEFA's stance, although not all national associations within these confederations may follow suit. Conversely, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia have declared their loyalty to Infantino. African football administrators have also sent messages of support, though the African confederation (CAF) has not yet formally stated its position. The executive committee of the Oceania confederation is scheduled to meet next Wednesday to discuss their approach.
Infantino has historically garnered significant support from football associations outside the traditional powerhouses, many of which rely on FIFA's financial assistance. His proposal had included promises of substantial financial dividends to national bodies that backed the plan.
Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan, a past challenger for the FIFA presidency, accused FIFA of "blackmail," claiming that assistance was offered in exchange for endorsing Infantino. He stated that his federation, which did not support Infantino previously, would not do so now.
Infantino's reelection prospects are aided by the absence of a clear challenger for the March election. Prince Ali, who lost to Sepp Blatter in 2015 and finished third behind Infantino and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa in 2016, has voiced strong opposition to the recent events.