Global Fans Demand Infantino's Resignation
A worldwide petition bearing the hashtag #InfantinOut has been launched by soccer fan collectives, accusing FIFA president Gianni Infantino of attempting to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The petition, signed by dozens of supporter councils across continents, frames the proposal as a direct assault on the sport’s core values.
Infantino’s plan, revealed earlier this month, would open the revenue streams of the quadrennial tournament to external investors, a move the petition describes as commercializing the World Cup beyond acceptable limits. Critics argue that such a step would prioritize financial gain over the integrity of the competition.
The backlash is not new for the Swiss‑Italian executive. Infantino’s tenure has been marked by the collapse of the European Super League and controversy over ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, where some seats fetched as much as $60, pricing out many ordinary fans.
While Morocco and Qatar, co‑hosts of the 2030 and 2022 tournaments respectively, have voiced support for Infantino, other host nations such as Saudi Arabia have remained silent. The United States, Canada and Mexico, joint organizers of the 2026 edition, have not publicly endorsed the proposal.
The petition’s authors contend that Infantino’s leadership is defined by ‘opaque decision‑making, a personality cult, and zero accountability,’ eroding confidence in FIFA’s governance and threatening the sport’s credibility on the global stage.
Despite mounting pressure, Infantino has refused to step down, even as UEFA and other FIFA confederations express diminishing confidence in his stewardship. The movement underscores a growing rift between football’s governing bodies and the fan base that fuels the game.