FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing potential removal from his position as UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF contemplate a no-confidence vote following his controversial proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. This move has reportedly angered key figures within these regional football confederations, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Potential No-Confidence Vote

Senior officials from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF are deliberating the possibility of a no-confidence vote aimed at ousting Infantino. This situation marks a significant moment in FIFA's history, as there has never been a recorded instance of a no-confidence vote against a sitting president in the organization’s 122 years. One anonymous source indicated that Infantino faces a critical decision: he could either opt for a peaceful exit before the March elections or face a more contentious removal process.

FIFA's Governance Procedures

FIFA's statutes allow the FIFA Council to call an Extraordinary Congress at any time, particularly if at least one-fifth of its 211 member associations submit a written request. Such a congress must occur within three months, with each attending association entitled to one vote. However, the statutes do not specifically address the process for a no-confidence vote against the president. When approached for comment, FIFA reiterated its commitment to adhering to its statutes and governance framework, stating it would not support any election processes inconsistent with these guidelines.

While UEFA did not confirm the discussions regarding a no-confidence vote, it emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of FIFA's leadership. Meanwhile, CONCACAF referred to a previous joint statement with UEFA and the AFC, which accused FIFA's leadership of breaching trust. Despite the turmoil, Infantino has expressed his intention to seek reelection at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027 and continues to enjoy substantial backing from various member associations, including support from Africa’s CAF. Recently, FIFA has acknowledged mistakes in handling the controversial proposal and received public endorsements from six Arab football associations, including Qatar and Morocco, which is a co-host for the 2030 World Cup.