FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing unprecedented challenges following a series of highly controversial decisions and major plans during his tenure.
European fan groups and Spanish football organizations have recently demanded his resignation, while 72 members of the European Parliament have jointly called for an investigation into his conduct. Should Infantino refuse, UEFA is prepared to push for a vote of no confidence against him.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also publicly weighed in, clearly siding with UEFA on the matter.
The trigger for UEFA’s强硬 stance was Infantino’s proposal last week to establish a $20 billion subsidiary, seeking to raise $4.2 billion by selling over 20% of the shares in a newly formed “FIFA Forward Program.”
Sources indicate that Infantino may have exploited loopholes in personnel regulations to secure an executive position at this subsidiary after stepping down from his current role, potentially reaping further financial benefits.
UEFA has announced a boycott of all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. As the football world’s core revenue engine, UEFA’s flagship tournaments—the Champions League and the European Championship—far surpass most FIFA events in commercial value and broadcast revenue. The Euros are widely regarded as the “mini World Cup.”
To initiate removal proceedings against the FIFA president, 43 of FIFA’s 211 member associations must vote in favor of a no-confidence motion—UEFA commands 55 member associations, giving it significant leverage.
Under mounting public pressure, Infantino has publicly scrapped the plan. His senior advisor has since resigned.
Infantino stated: “After carefully listening to all parties, I realized this project has caused serious divisions. Regardless of support levels, this situation no longer aligns with our original objectives. Our mission has always been—and will always be—to unite and drive progress. Therefore, this proposal will not move forward.”
The statement also indicated that Infantino plans to convene all stakeholders for fresh consultations in the coming weeks and months, with a focus on growing football globally, especially by providing greater support to countries most in need.
Born in 1970, Infantino holds dual Swiss-Italian nationality and joined UEFA’s sales department in 2000. On February 26, 2016, he was elected as FIFA’s ninth president, subsequently winning re-election twice.
During his tenure, FIFA’s overall revenue has doubled, reserve funds have grown substantially, and he championed the expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams. In the current commercial cycle, FIFA’s total revenue has surpassed $15 billion—nearly double the previous cycle.
Infantino’s current term was originally set to end in 2027, yet he announced his candidacy for the next presidential election back in May, making him the sole declared candidate so far.
Prior to this year’s World Cup, Infantino was already under investigation by FIFA’s Ethics Committee for his close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Multiple organizations lodged complaints alleging repeated violations of FIFA’s political neutrality principles. However, Infantino maintains that fostering friendly ties with host country leaders is essential for the FIFA presidency.
Trump has publicly dubbed him the “King of Football.” Infantino even went so far as to set up a FIFA office inside New York’s Trump Tower and personally presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Award—seen by many as a consolation for Trump missing out on the Nobel Prize.
During this year’s World Cup, FIFA’s disciplinary committee made a controversial ruling favoring the U.S. team. Trump himself confirmed he had phoned Infantino to request a review of the red card shown to American player Balogun.
Infantino’s direct interference in tournament rules has drawn widespread criticism. UEFA characterized the decision to pardon Balogun as a complete breach of regulatory boundaries—”unprecedented, baffling, and unjustifiable”—warning it sets a dangerous precedent for World Cup officiating and risks long-term damage to rule enforcement across all international competitions.
Additionally, Infantino has faced allegations of funneling substantial financial support to football associations in economically underdeveloped regions in exchange for their votes. In 2021, his push for a biennial World Cup proposal was similarly met with industry-wide resistance led by UEFA.
