ZURICH : Senior figures from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF are discussing possible steps to remove Infantino following months of tensions over FIFA’s governance and the failed proposal to bring private investors into the commercial operation of its biggest competitions, including the World Cup.

According to Reuters, one senior source familiar with the discussions said Infantino could either decide not to contest the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027 or potentially face an attempt to challenge his leadership before then.

However, FIFA’s statutes do not specifically provide for a vote of no confidence against its president. The FIFA Council can call an Extraordinary Congress, while such a meeting must also be convened if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations submit a written request. Each member association represented at a Congress has one vote.

The growing leadership crisis follows the collapse of Infantino’s proposal to sell a minority stake in a new FIFA commercial entity to private investors. The proposed company would have controlled commercial rights linked to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The plan faced strong opposition from UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF, which accused FIFA’s leadership of failing to provide sufficient transparency and consultation. The three confederations have since publicly criticised the handling of the proposal and called for a fundamental review of FIFA’s leadership and governance.

Infantino, however, remains a powerful figure within the organisation and intends to seek re-election in March 2027. He continues to enjoy support from several FIFA members, particularly within the Confederation of African Football.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has said Infantino retains Africa’s backing and that the FIFA president’s future should ultimately be decided by member associations through the election process. Six Arab football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, have also publicly backed Infantino.

Opponents of Infantino therefore face a major risk: an unsuccessful attempt to remove him could demonstrate that he still commands enough support among FIFA’s 211 voting members and strengthen his position ahead of the presidential election.

The turmoil has also spread inside FIFA. Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour recently departed after criticising the proposed investment project, while FIFA Vice President Sandor Csanyi withdrew his support for Infantino, describing Lamour’s departure as the “final straw”.

Pressure is also coming from European clubs. European Football Clubs (EFC), which represents more than 800 clubs and is chaired by Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has warned that its members could refuse to participate in future men’s and women’s Club World Cups unless concerns over governance and the clubs’ relationship with FIFA are addressed.

FIFA expects its revenues for the 2023-2026 cycle to exceed $15 billion, much of it generated during the 2026 World Cup year. The abandoned investment proposal would also have allowed member associations to access as much as $20 million each in one-off funding for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, grassroots football and the women’s game.

With no challenger publicly confirmed ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline, Infantino remains in control for now. But the prospect of UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF acting together signals an unprecedented political battle over the future leadership and governance of world football.

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