- Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition over his FIFA leadership
- Wales withdrew support for his 2027 re-election bid
- His future may depend on backing from smaller football nations
FIFA President Gianni Infantino may depend more on the backing of smaller football nations than on support from the sport’s traditional powerhouses as he seeks another term in office amid growing opposition.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Swiss football administrator is facing the most serious challenge of his decade-long leadership after UEFA and CONCACAF declared they no longer had confidence in him following the collapse of a controversial proposal to introduce private investment into the FIFA World Cup.
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Although Infantino has already confirmed he will seek a fourth term at the FIFA Congress next April, pressure on his leadership continues to mount well before the election.
On Monday, the Football Association of Wales became the first national federation to officially withdraw its support for his re-election. UEFA also disclosed that it had written to Infantino, warning that it was considering legal action over the abandoned investment proposal.
Under FIFA statutes, an Extraordinary Congress can be convened if at least 20 percent of the organisation’s 211 member associations submit a written request. Such a meeting must be held within three months, creating an opportunity for rival candidates to contest the presidency.
UEFA alone, with its 55 member associations, could trigger the process if its members act unanimously.
However, removing Infantino would still require majority support from FIFA’s global membership, where every country has one vote regardless of its football strength or financial status.
That voting structure could work in Infantino’s favour, as many developing football nations have benefited significantly from FIFA funding during his tenure.
Instead of relying on support from established football powers such as England, Spain or France, Infantino may look to countries like Bhutan, Vanuatu and other smaller associations that depend heavily on FIFA grants to develop football infrastructure and youth programmes.
During the 2023–2026 World Cup cycle, FIFA increased development funding available to each member association to as much as $3 million, up from $2 million in the previous cycle. While the increase represents a modest amount for wealthier football nations, it has been crucial for countries with limited resources.
Vanuatu, ranked 160th in the world, is among the nations that have benefited from FIFA’s development initiatives. The Pacific island nation received more than $4 million in funding to construct a 6,500-capacity stadium in Port Vila, completed in 2022.
Vanuatu Football Federation president Lambert Maltock also serves as one of FIFA’s vice-presidents, while the country’s first professional footballer, Brian Kaltak, credited Infantino for expanding opportunities for developing football nations.
Kaltak said FIFA’s investment had helped countries like Vanuatu improve infrastructure and participate more actively in international football.
Across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, FIFA funding has supported the construction of training facilities, pitches, gyms and grassroots football programmes that many national associations would otherwise struggle to finance.
Critics, however, argue that the financial support has strengthened Infantino’s political influence within FIFA, making it more difficult for opponents to gather enough votes to remove him.
With growing opposition from major football confederations and continued backing from many developing nations, any attempt to unseat Infantino is expected to depend on securing support from FIFA’s wider membership rather than its traditional football heavyweights.
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