World soccer’s regional powerhouses are discussing whether to move a vote of no confidence as they seek to oust FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he angered them with a proposal to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup, senior figures familiar with the discussions.
European confederation UEFA, Asia’s AFC and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, are considering the move, the people said.
Under FIFA’s statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time, while the Council is required to call one if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations submit a written request specifying the items they want on the agenda.
Earlier on Thursday, scores of soccer fans from across the world launched a petition calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign after he tried to sell the future World Cup rights to private investors. Hashtag Infantino out. Also calls for FIFA to be rebuilt so that the current debacle can never happen again. Read a petition with the hashtag.
Nearly 211 member federations are supporting Infantino, including the 2023 World Cup co-host Morocco, and Qatar, where he lived before the emirate hosted the 2022 World Cup, and Lebanon, which has given him citizenship this year. Saudi Arabia, the host for 2034, has, however, not publicly backed Infantino despite his close political ties to the kingdom. The petition added that for the credibility of FIFA and for the future of the game, he must resign.
The shameful attempt by one individual — the FIFA President himself — to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget,” the petition said about Infantino’s plan for a commercial spinoff, which he dropped amid a furious backlash.
The fan groups include football supporters from Europe, Africa and North America. The Independent Supporters Council, plus about 40 national fan groups globally.
Besides, the petition cites Infantino’s past support for projects that outraged fans, including the failed European soccer Super League project, pushing to hold World Cups every two years, which was resisted, and the extraordinary ticket-trap policy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans this year were angry with the record ticket prices set for the 104-game tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Football Supporters Europe is the official liaison for fans with UEFA and advises on ticket prices for European Championships and club cup finals like the Champions League.