Reuters reports UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF weigh no-confidence vote against Infantino
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UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF are discussing a vote of no confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, senior figures told Reuters on Aug 20. The discussions follow Infantino's proposal to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup, which the confederations earlier accused of a fundamental breach of trust. Infantino has said he intends to seek reelection at the March 2027 FIFA Congress and retains significant support, including from Africa's CAF.
Key Facts
- Under FIFA statutes, an Extraordinary Congress must be convened within three months if at least one-fifth of the 211 member associations submit a written request specifying agenda items.
- Reuters found no previous instance in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress holding a vote of no confidence in a sitting president.
- Infantino has said he intends to seek reelection at the scheduled March 2027 FIFA Congress and retains significant support, including from Africa’s confederation CAF.
- Six Arab football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, publicly backed Infantino last week.
- FIFA’s statutes contain no specific provision governing a vote of no confidence in its president.
No-Confidence Discussions
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF are discussing whether to move a vote of no confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, senior figures familiar with the discussions told Reuters. The talks follow Infantino's proposal to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup, which the confederations earlier accused of a fundamental breach of trust. Reuters found no previous instance in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress holding a vote of no confidence in a sitting president. Under FIFA statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time, or must call one if at least one-fifth of the 211 member associations submit a written request. An Extraordinary Congress must then be convened within three months, with each attending association holding one vote.
Infantino's Position
Infantino has said he intends to seek reelection at the scheduled March 2027 FIFA Congress. He retains significant support among FIFA’s member associations, including from Africa’s confederation CAF. Six Arab football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, publicly backed Infantino last week. FIFA has apologised to its member associations for mistakes in the handling of the private investor proposal. FIFA’s leadership reaffirmed its full support for Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco earlier this month.
Confederation Responses
UEFA did not comment directly on whether a no-confidence vote was under discussion. It referred Reuters to an earlier statement that a review of FIFA’s leadership and governance should be thorough and fundamental and that no option should be off the table. CONCACAF declined to comment directly and referred Reuters to an earlier joint statement with UEFA and the AFC accusing FIFA’s leadership of a fundamental breach of trust. The AFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. FIFA did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters.
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Reuters reports UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF weigh no-confidence vote against Infantino
