GIANNI INFANTINO faces the biggest threat to his reign as Fifa president after Uefa and Concacaf nations united to scupper his radical World Cup plans.
And European powerbrokers are trying to convince president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to challenge him at next year’s election in March.
Uefa and Concacaf nations united to scupper Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s radical World Cup plans Credit: 2026 PA Media
Paris Saint-German president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is urged to challenge Infantino in the Fifa elections Credit: Getty Images – Getty
, 56, has run unopposed at both of the previous two votes and is looking to secure a fourth term in office.
But he is facing mounting opposition after Uefa and Concacaf hit back at his outlandish scheme to .
The 55 members of the European governing body, including England, met online and unanimously agreed to .
took aim at Infantino, who has been Fifa’s president for the past ten years.
It read: “This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of ’s duty as the custodian of world football.”
Concacaf nations also convened a meeting with all presidents of its 41 member associations along with the North American, Central American and Caribbean body’s relevant chiefs and expressed their strong disagreements with Infantino’s plans.
A lengthy statement read: “Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where comes first.
“Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
“History has shown Fifa and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.
“With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its Fifa Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the Fifa President to establish ‘Fifa Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the Fifa to private investors.
“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant Fifa governance bodies.
“In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing Fifa Forward programs following the most profitable Fifa World Cup in history was questioned.
“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.”
Al-Khelaifi, 52, is viewed as someone that could topple Infantino and is thought to have the backing of leading figures in European football.
He is one of the most powerful people in the game and is the chairman of both beIN Media Group and Qatar Sports Investments.
As well as being president of PSG, the Qatari is chairman of the European Football Clubs and a member of Uefa’s executive committee.
Those backing Al-Khelaifi, however, face an uphill battle in convincing him to stand as a challenger to Infantino.
A spokesperson for Al-Khelaifi told SunSport: “Mr Al-Khelaifi has absolutely no ambition, no intention and no interest in the Fifa role and all this media noise.
Uefa to be tested
“And instead will continue to quietly and constructively support all the institutions of world and European football.”
Uefa’s strong stance against Fifa will be first tested in September, when the Under-20 Women’s World Cup is due to take place.
Six European sides, including England, are due to compete in the tournament that starts on September 5 and is hosted by Poland.
That is just two weeks before the September 19 deadline for countries to accept Infantino’s proposals.
He wants to sell off shares related to Fifa’s commercial and event operations, with the estimation being it could raise £7.52billion.
Fifa member associations will benefit from that and, if they accept the proposed plans, bank £30million.
A chunk of that cash would come in the shape of a £15m lump sum, which would be made available to all 211 members
Countries would then get access to a further £15m over the next three years from 2027 to 2030 via funding.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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