FIFA president faces shifting support

Gianni Infantino, the current president of FIFA, is navigating a changing political landscape as he seeks re-election. Recent reports show a shift in the number of federations supporting or opposing him, with some key allies and rivals changing positions in the past few months.

Initial opposition to Infantino's re-election

In August, a BBC investigation revealed that 124 of FIFA’s 211 member federations were opposed to Infantino’s re-election, while 73 supported him and 13 were undecided. These numbers were based on the positions of confederations rather than the voting intentions of individual countries. However, by October, The Independent reported a shift, with 116 supporters compared to 91 opponents.

Controversy over FIFA Forward Enterprise

The initial opposition stemmed from the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which aimed to allow private investors to participate in FIFA's commercial activities, particularly around the World Cup. This initiative faced strong resistance from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf, who united to challenge Infantino's leadership. France also withdrew its support, forcing Infantino to abandon the project and issue public apologies.

Key support and withdrawal from the race

On October 23, Cheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, president of the AFC and a former rival in the 2016 election, publicly endorsed Infantino. This support came at a crucial moment. Additionally, Victor Montagliani of Concacaf and Aleksander Ceferin of UEFA withdrew from the race, reducing the number of potential challengers.

Limited competition for Infantino

Currently, only Ramon Vega, a former Swiss defender, has announced his intention to challenge Infantino, though his candidacy has not been officially confirmed. Candidates have until November 18 to declare their candidacy, with the election set for March 18, 2027, in Rabat.

FIFA's structure and financial incentives

Infantino's position is further strengthened by FIFA’s structure, which grants each of its 211 member federations one vote, regardless of the size of the country. UEFA, with 55 members, cannot unilaterally influence the outcome. Additionally, FIFA recently announced a $6.35 billion development program for 2027–2030, offering up to $25 million to each federation, which may sway support from countries with limited resources.

Ongoing challenges and controversies

Despite these developments, challenges remain. UEFA is still awaiting answers to 42 questions about Infantino’s governance, and Prince Ali of Jordan has accused the AFC of using its congress for electoral purposes. The AFC denies the claim and is considering legal action. In Japan, former coach Takeshi Okada resigned from his position as vice-president over disagreements about handling World Cup controversies.