The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have begun discussing a no-confidence vote to oust Gianni Infantino, president of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Reuters reported on the 21st, Korea time, that UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF had moved to consider a no-confidence vote against Infantino, adding that in FIFA's 112-year history there had never been a no-confidence vote targeting a sitting president at its congress.
The three confederations took the step over a subsidiary that FIFA recently announced and then withdrew. Infantino had unveiled a plan to set up a subsidiary to operate and manage FIFA's flagship competitions, including the World Cup, after the 2026 tournament in North and Central America, and to sell a stake in it to private investors, but scrapped it amid fierce opposition.
According to Reuters, officials on the side of UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF said Infantino must either choose the peaceful path and give up his bid in the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, or take the difficult road of a no-confidence vote.
FIFA's position, however, is firm. The organization maintained that it would not support or tolerate any process related to the FIFA presidential election that violated its statutes and democratic procedures.
Infantino is seeking re-election in the next presidential race. With support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and some Arab football associations still solid and no clear rival in sight, his influence could grow even stronger if the no-confidence push fails.
