FIFA President Gianni Infantino has faced renewed criticism after UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a joint statement stressing that football should not be controlled by any individual.
The three confederations, in a letter issued on Monday, criticised the leadership of world football’s governing body following Infantino’s recently withdrawn proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
The proposal sparked opposition from several confederations before FIFA announced its withdrawal. FIFA had subsequently rejected what it described as an ongoing effort by some parties to undermine the organisation and its president.
However, UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC maintained their position, arguing that leadership of football must remain accountable to the organisations and associations that make up the sport.
The confederations said recent developments represented what they viewed as a failure of judgment rather than merely a communication problem.
They also criticised an emergency meeting Infantino convened in Morocco, saying only selected members of FIFA’s Management Committee attended.
The groups argued that the meeting did not adequately address concerns raised within FIFA and its wider football structure.
Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth and final term as FIFA president at an election scheduled for March next year in Rabat, Morocco.
His position had appeared relatively secure after the successful staging of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the first edition to feature 48 teams.
However, opposition to the proposed private investment plan has increased scrutiny of his leadership ahead of the election.
UEFA had previously threatened to consider a boycott of the World Cup if the investment proposal proceeded, a position that could have affected the participation of major European teams.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has been mentioned as a potential challenger to Infantino, although the confederations do not vote as unified blocs in FIFA presidential elections.
Infantino continues to have support in parts of world football. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has backed his re-election, while South American governing body CONMEBOL is broadly supportive. Some CONCACAF and AFC members have also expressed support.
The three confederations also challenged the suggestion that the success of the 2026 World Cup and other recent FIFA achievements could be attributed solely to Infantino.
They said the tournament, the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups and the distribution of resources to member associations were collective achievements involving FIFA, the confederations, member associations and football personnel around the world.
The letter concluded with a call for greater accountability and openness within FIFA, with the confederations saying they had taken their position jointly in what they described as an effort to protect the unity and governance of the sport.
