Arab federations rally behind Infantino as FIFA governance crisis deepens
The backing comes as three confederations representing 136 member associations call for the president’s resignation ahead of the March election.
Six Arab football federations have issued a joint statement expressing full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, reinforcing his position amid a governance crisis triggered by the collapse of a major private investment proposal. The heads of the national associations from Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Mauritania reaffirmed their confidence in Infantino’s leadership and his commitment to the global development of the sport.
The statement, signed by the leaders of the six federations, acknowledged the role of Arab football in strengthening cooperation across the region. It highlighted their appreciation for Infantino’s efforts to expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing communities together. Four of the six signatories also serve as members of the FIFA Council.
This show of support follows significant internal turmoil within FIFA after Infantino’s proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors was abandoned. The Swiss administrator had sought to raise approximately $4.2 billion by carving off these rights, a move that drew sharp opposition from three major confederations: UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF.
Infantino, who is seeking re-election in March, had offered a $20 million grant to member associations for the next funding cycle as part of the withdrawn deal. The statement noted that this amount could have been doubled had the deal been signed. Despite the withdrawal, the president retains a base of support within the organisation’s wider membership.
The opposition from the three confederations represents a significant portion of the voting bloc, with these bodies accounting for 136 of the 211 member associations eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. The revolt has seen calls for Infantino to quit, yet the joint statement from the Arab federations suggests he still has substantial allies within the global football hierarchy.
