A brewing storm in world football
Regional soccer confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, are reportedly discussing a potential vote of no confidence against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, citing governance concerns and the fallout from his stalled commercial overhaul.
Under FIFA’s statutes, an Extraordinary Congress can be convened if at least one‑fifth of the 211 member associations submit a written request, a procedural lever that could trigger a formal no‑confidence motion.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has warned that the current instability could inadvertently reinforce Infantino’s grip on power ahead of the 2023 election, urging a reassessment of the federation’s power structures and a search for a fresh presidential candidate.
Infantino’s proposal to monetize a minority stake in a new commercial entity and to launch a private Under‑15 “World Cup” have been shelved, but not before he explored a partnership with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal for a stake in FIFA’s event and commercial operations.
The debate underscores a broader push for reform, as stakeholders grapple with how to balance commercial ambition with the integrity of global football governance.