FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing widespread calls for his resignation after dropping a controversial plan to open the organization to private investment. Despite abandoning the reform on August 1, the Italian-Swiss official remains under heavy pressure as he prepares for a potential reelection vote in March 2027.
The strongest backlash has emerged in Europe, where several senior officials have withdrawn their backing. European football confederation UEFA, representing 55 member federations, confirmed it is maintaining its threat to boycott the World Cup despite FIFA's cancellation of the plan and subsequent apology.
In a statement sent to AFP on Thursday, August 6, UEFA said it had demanded assurances that attempts to disfigure football in such a manner could never happen again. The organization stated those conditions had not been met and reaffirmed that it had lost confidence in Infantino's leadership.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin of Slovenia holds the backing of the European Club Association, chaired by Paris Saint-Germain head Nasser al-Khelaïfi. Individual national federations including Denmark, Finland, Serbia, Sweden, and Wales have publicly declared they will not support Infantino in 2027, while British media reported Thursday that the English Football Association has also pulled its support.
Norway demands resignation and ethics probe
The Norwegian Football Federation went further on Friday, August 7, explicitly calling for Infantino to step down immediately. Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness stated that Infantino lacks the institutional trust required to lead FIFA stably during the current period and added that there is no turning back.
Norway also announced it will refer three separate matters to the FIFA Ethics Committee. These comprise the aborted private investment plan, the decision to lift the suspension of American player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup following intervention by Donald Trump, and FIFA's presentation of a peace prize to the US president.
Former Portuguese star Luis Figo, the 2000 Ballon d'Or winner and UEFA advisor since 2017, also called for Infantino's departure in an article for British newspaper the Daily Mail. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid player wrote that Infantino must leave immediately, describing recent actions at FIFA as the worst, most devious, and most selfish behavior he had encountered in his career.
Concacaf and Asian federation call for governance reform
Concacaf, governing body for 35 federations across North America and the Caribbean, expressed serious concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal. The confederation demanded a complete reset of FIFA governance, stating that FIFA had acted without transparency, proper consultation, or due process.
The Asian Football Confederation, which represents 46 member associations, stopped short of taking a direct stance against Infantino but stated that the proposal exposed fundamental flaws in FIFA's decision-making and consultation procedures. The AFC urged FIFA to conduct an urgent review of its governance framework.
African and Argentine support
Infantino retains significant backing elsewhere, led by the Confederation of African Football and its 54 member federations. CAF issued a statement on Thursday unanimously reaffirming its support for Infantino and welcoming FIFA's apology, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe thanking him for his long-standing backing of African football.
While South American governing body Conmebol expressed concern on Thursday, the Argentine Football Association publicly backed Infantino's leadership over the past decade. AFA President Claudio Tapia, who was indicted in March for tax evasion and is a close ally of Infantino, commended the withdrawal of the plan and FIFA's apology.
The Argentine federation described FIFA's governance model under Infantino as clear, stable, and transparent. Looking ahead to the FIFA Congress in March 2027, the AFA stated its strong belief that continuing to work under Infantino's presidency is the proper path to advance the sport.
