14 Aug 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received public backing from six Arab football federations as opposition to his leadership grows following the collapse of a controversial plan involving private investment in World Cup commercial rights.
Six Arab Federations Back Infantino
Football associations from Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan and Mauritania declared their “full support” and confidence in Infantino. Four of the signatories are also members of the FIFA Council.
Why Is Infantino Facing a Revolt?
Infantino had proposed selling a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights for around $4.2 billion to private investors. The proposal triggered strong criticism from major football bodies, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.
FIFA subsequently withdrew the proposal and apologised for shortcomings in how the plan was communicated and handled.
Growing Divide in World Football
The Arab federations’ support comes as opposition to Infantino has intensified in other regions.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF have accused FIFA leadership of a breakdown in trust and demanded greater transparency and governance reforms.
Infantino’s Re-Election Battle
The controversy is particularly significant because Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president. The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 17, 2027, in Morocco, with each of FIFA’s 211 member associations holding a vote.
Support Is Not Guaranteed
Although Infantino has backing from several powerful football blocs, formal endorsements do not necessarily guarantee that every member association will vote for him.
The latest developments suggest that the FIFA presidential contest could become increasingly contested as federations debate governance, transparency and the future commercial structure of the World Cup.