Six Arab federations back Infantino as major confederations withdraw support

Six Arab football federations declared their "full support" and "confidence" in FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday, offering him a crucial show of backing as he navigates a governance crisis that has fractured global soccer's power structure. The federations, per ESPN's reporting, were Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, and Sudan, with four of the signatories holding seats on FIFA's council.

Infantino faces organized resistance from three major continental confederations and several national associations over his withdrawn $20 billion proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. The collapse of that plan, reported by ESPN, followed a furious backlash from global soccer officials, including Europe's UEFA, which warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events.

On Monday, August 11, UEFA, CONCACAF (the North and Central American confederation), and AFC (the Asian confederation) issued an open letter describing Infantino's plan as a "fundamental breach of trust" and "deception," according to ESPN. Within days, the Football Association of Ireland withdrew its support for Infantino's reelection, citing "significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation." The football federations in England and Wales withdrew support the week of August 6, while Northern Ireland aligned with UEFA's stance.

By expressing support for Infantino, Qatar and Lebanon split from their own continental confederation, the AFC, per ESPN's reporting. The four FIFA council members among the signatories were Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, and Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya. The other two signatories were Lebanese Football Association president Hashem Haidar and Sudan Football Association president Moatasem Gafar.

Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016, per ESPN, and seemed sure to be reelected unopposed next year in Morocco before recent events. Patrice Motsepe, a FIFA vice president and president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said on Thursday that if opponents want to "take out" Infantino they must follow procedure and go through the ballot box. FIFA has set a November 18 deadline for challengers to come forward for the 2027 election, with 211 FIFA member associations eligible to vote.

The bear case from officials opposing Infantino remains sharp: UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC issued a joint open letter characterizing the plan as a fundamental breach of trust; the Football Association of Ireland, English Football Association, and Welsh Football Association have all withdrawn support; and Northern Ireland backed UEFA's stance. Infantino's plan faced what ESPN describes as a "furious backlash" from global soccer officials and was withdrawn after opposition.