Gianni Infantino’s political stability at the helm of FIFA is experiencing one of its most delicate moments since he assumed the presidency. A proposal to open the door to private investors in future World Cup revenues has caused a rift that is no longer limited to national federations, but extends to collaborators who until recently were part of his inner circle.
The opposition has escalated rapidly and has called into question the Swiss leader’s room for maneuver with less than a year to go before the next FIFA elections. What seemed like a clear path to a new term now faces a much less predictable scenario.
Gianni Infantino loses support over the World Cup project
One of the most significant blows came with the departure of Carlos Cordeiro, former president of the United States Soccer Federation and a close advisor to Infantino since 2021. Cordeiro questioned the wisdom of incorporating private capital into the World Cup business and argued that the proposal would harm both member associations and the financial future of international soccer.
Cordeiro also criticized the lack of transparency during the process and pointed out that FIFA has sufficient financial reserves to fund its programs without resorting to this type of operation.
Adding to this rift was Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer and a longtime collaborator of Infantino. In a public statement, he asserted that the organization’s staff were kept out of the project’s planning and affirmed that many employees deserve greater transparency and respect, even if expressing this stance could cost him his job.
UEFA and other confederations increase pressure
The rejection is not limited to within FIFA itself. UEFA has already expressed its willingness to promote a boycott if the initiative moves forward, while other confederations have shown a similar stance. The Asian Football Confederation avoided endorsing such a measure, although it agreed that the proposal should be withdrawn.
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Meanwhile, various international football organizations have begun exploring potential candidates to run for the FIFA presidency in next year’s elections. This move reflects a shift in the landscape for Gianni Infantino, whose continued leadership no longer seems as secure as it did just a few weeks ago.
