South American federations rally behind Infantino as FIFA crisis deepens

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consolidated support from several leading South American football authorities during his visit to Colombia, a diplomatic move occurring against the backdrop of significant institutional turmoil. Infantino arrived in Cali on Friday to attend the inauguration of incoming President Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative figure closely aligned with right-wing political circles, including US President Donald Trump.

The visit highlights the complex political landscape of world football’s governance. Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term in March, was photographed alongside CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez and Colombian Federation President Ramon Jesurun. Despite previous concerns from CONMEBOL regarding unilateral actions by FIFA, Dominguez emphasised the necessity of dialogue, stating that one cannot ignore the work done by Infantino, even when disagreements persist.

This regional backing comes as FIFA navigates a crisis triggered by the withdrawal of the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" plan, which sought to open the World Cup to private investment. The proposal drew sharp criticism from UEFA, which maintained its threat to boycott the tournament despite the plan’s abandonment. CONMEBOL, representing ten FIFA-affiliated members including Argentina and Brazil, had previously expressed concern over the unilateral nature of the initiative.

Support for Infantino has been explicitly pledged by the Argentine Football Association and the Paraguayan federation, both of which endorsed the withdrawal of the commercial entity plan. On Friday, Venezuela and Ecuador followed suit, with Ecuadorian federation president Francisco Egas Larreategui expressing confidence in the current leadership in a formal letter.

Infantino declined to address questions from an AFP journalist regarding whether the current crisis had resolved. Instead, he participated in a children’s football festival in Cali, describing the sport as a source of joy and unity. The inauguration ceremony itself marked a departure from tradition, with De la Espriella choosing Cali, known as the capital of salsa, over the traditional venue in Bogota.