FIFA president Gianni Infantino is heading towards the March 2027 election for a final term amid a growing divide among member associations over his leadership.
The contest has attracted attention following criticism of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan, which was intended to allow private companies to invest in the World Cup.
The proposal was eventually withdrawn by FIFA, while Infantino apologised over what he described as errors surrounding the initiative.
Despite the controversy, the FIFA president has retained the backing of senior executives after a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco.
The final decision will, however, be determined by FIFA’s 211 member associations, with each association entitled to one vote regardless of the size or strength of its national team.
This means smaller football nations such as San Marino and the Bahamas have the same voting power as major football countries including Brazil and England.
Although continental bodies such as UEFA and the Confederation of African Football can endorse candidates and lobby their members, individual national associations are responsible for casting the votes.
UEFA has criticised aspects of Infantino’s leadership, while the African football confederation has backed his re-election bid.
No formal challenger had emerged at the time of the report, while prospective candidates have until November 18 to submit their nominations.
Nations opposing Infantino
Most of the publicly declared opposition has come from European football associations, with Finland among the first to withdraw its support.
England, Wales and Serbia subsequently indicated that they would no longer back the FIFA president, followed by Sweden, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
Jordan is the only non-European country identified as having publicly opposed Infantino’s re-election.
The Jordan Football Federation is headed by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA’s leadership of blackmail over the release of funds owed to the country.
Prince Ali claimed Jordan had been awaiting payment for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar in December and alleged that the federation was told its support for Infantino would assist in securing the money.
He later confirmed that Jordan received the outstanding funds.
The countries publicly identified as opposing or withdrawing support for Infantino are Finland, England, Wales, Serbia, Sweden, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Jordan.
Romania and the Czech Republic have also indicated that they may not support Infantino, although they had not formally declared opposition at the time of the report.
Nations backing Infantino
Infantino continues to enjoy support from several football associations across different regions.
Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon and Morocco publicly backed him after FIFA abandoned the Forward Enterprise proposal.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay subsequently joined the list of associations expressing support.
Egypt, Niger and Mauritania, which have previously supported Infantino, have also voiced backing in recent weeks but stopped short of issuing formal endorsements.
The countries publicly supporting Infantino are Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.
Egypt, Niger and Mauritania have expressed support without issuing full endorsements.
With the election still months away and the nomination deadline yet to pass, the positions of FIFA’s member associations could change before the March 2027 vote.
The distribution of support will ultimately determine whether Infantino secures another term or faces a competitive challenge for the leadership of world football.
