The political battle surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino has intensified ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with football associations divided over his leadership following controversy surrounding a proposed FIFA commercial investment plan.
Infantino has confirmed that he will seek another term as FIFA president at the 2027 election. FIFA officially announced that the election for the 2027–2031 term will take place at the 77th FIFA Congress.
The strongest opposition has emerged from Europe. UEFA has maintained that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership following the controversy over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have involved private investment linked to future World Cup revenues.
CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also expressed serious concerns about the proposal and its decision-making process. Both confederations argued that the plan lacked sufficient consultation and transparency.
The proposal was subsequently withdrawn after widespread criticism, but the controversy has continued to affect Infantino’s political standing.
Africa, however, has provided a significant source of support. Leading African football administrators have publicly backed Infantino, while the Confederation of African Football has remained an important pillar of his support base. Reuters reported that African football leaders including CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa and FIFA Council members from Egypt, Niger and Mauritania have expressed support for the FIFA president.
CAF’s executive committee later reaffirmed its support for Infantino, highlighting his contributions to African football and FIFA development programmes.
The division is significant because FIFA’s 211 member associations each have a vote in the presidential election. Africa’s 54 members therefore represent a substantial voting bloc.
Infantino’s supporters point to increased FIFA revenues and development funding during his presidency, particularly through programmes that have provided financial assistance to member associations. Critics, meanwhile, have questioned FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes.
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The election is still months away, meaning alliances could change as potential challengers emerge and member associations assess their positions.
For now, the political landscape remains divided: UEFA and several other football bodies are pushing for change, while CAF and a number of African administrators continue to support Infantino.
The contest is expected to become more intense as FIFA approaches its 2027 Congress, with governance, transparency, financial management and the distribution of football development resources likely to dominate the debate.