For much of the summer, Gianni Infantino appeared almost certain to secure another term as FIFA president.
The picture has changed dramatically.
Just weeks after Infantino looked set to cruise into a fourth term without serious opposition, growing divisions across world football have transformed the 2027 FIFA presidential election into a genuine political battle.
The controversy surrounding Infantino’s now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors has triggered an extraordinary backlash, with several major confederations accusing FIFA of breaking their trust.
With 210 eligible voting associations and a potential challenger still to emerge, the race for control of world football is suddenly wide open.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| FIFA President | Gianni Infantino |
| Election | March 2027 |
| Eligible voters | 210 associations |
| FIFA members | 211 |
| Suspended member | Nepal |
| Current reported support | 73 |
| Reported opposition | 124 |
| Undecided | 13 |
| Majority with two candidates | 106 votes |
| Candidate deadline | November 2026 |
The current numbers are fluid and could change significantly before the election.
Infantino’s Once-Unbeatable Position Has Changed
Only weeks ago, Infantino appeared to have overwhelming support.
Almost all FIFA members had endorsed his bid for a fourth term, and there was no serious challenger.
That changed after his controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA’s World Cup and other competitions to private investors was abandoned.
The fallout has created divisions across the football world and has forced national associations to reconsider their positions.
According to the current tally reported by BBC Sport, 73 associations are considered supportive of Infantino, 124 are opposed and 13 remain undecided.
That means the election is no longer looking like a coronation.
It could become a genuine contest for control of global football.
How the FIFA Voting System Works
The numbers make the upcoming election particularly fascinating.
If there are only two candidates, a simple majority is required.
With 210 eligible voters, that means a candidate needs:
106 votes to win.
If three or more candidates enter the race, the rules become more complicated.
A candidate needs two-thirds of the vote to win in the first round. If nobody reaches that threshold, another round is held, with a simple majority then required.
FIFA’s Voting Power by Confederation
| Confederation | Votes |
|---|---|
| UEFA | 55 |
| CAF | 54 |
| AFC | 46 |
| Concacaf | 35 |
| OFC | 11 |
| CONMEBOL | 10 |
| Total | 211 |
However, Nepal is currently suspended and does not have voting rights, leaving 210 eligible voters.
Europe, Asia and Concacaf Could Decide Everything
The most important development has been the emergence of a coalition involving UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
The three organizations have accused Infantino and FIFA of breaking their trust “through deception”.
Together, those confederations represent 136 associations.
That is an enormous voting bloc.
But there is one major complication.
Not every national association necessarily follows the position of its confederation.
Several countries have already demonstrated that they are willing to break ranks.
The Countries Refusing to Follow Their Confederations
Asia could become one of the most important battlegrounds.
Countries including Bhutan, the Philippines and the UAE have backed Infantino despite the broader position of the AFC.
Mexico has also publicly supported Infantino despite Concacaf’s opposition.
Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis have taken a similar position.
New Zealand, meanwhile, recently withdrew its support for Infantino despite the Oceania Football Confederation praising FIFA’s progress under his leadership.
These examples demonstrate why simply counting confederation votes is not enough.
Individual associations ultimately decide how they vote.
Africa Could Be Infantino’s Biggest Stronghold
One of Infantino’s strongest areas of support remains Africa.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe is considered an important ally, while many African football associations have benefited significantly from FIFA investment during Infantino’s presidency.
The FIFA Forward programme has directed substantial funding toward football development around the world.
For smaller football nations, those investments can be extremely important.
That creates a powerful political incentive to maintain the current leadership.
South America is another region where Infantino retains significant support.
The investments made during his presidency could therefore prove crucial when the voting blocs begin to solidify.
Saudi Arabia Could Become a Major Difference-Maker
One particularly interesting situation involves Saudi Arabia.
The country has not publicly declared its position on Infantino’s future.
That makes its eventual decision potentially significant.
Saudi Arabia was awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup during Infantino’s presidency, and the country’s football leadership elections in August could influence its position.
If Saudi Arabia changes its stance, other associations in the region could potentially follow.
This is one reason the current voting map should not be treated as final.
Who Could Challenge Infantino?
At the moment, there is no confirmed challenger.
That could be the biggest advantage Infantino still possesses.
If multiple candidates emerge, opposition votes could become fragmented.
If UEFA, Concacaf and AFC instead unite behind one candidate, the election could become much more dangerous for the incumbent.
One name repeatedly mentioned as a possible challenger is Concacaf president Victor Montagliani.
His position would be particularly interesting because Concacaf controls 35 votes and has already become one of the strongest institutional critics of Infantino.
Another potential scenario involves AFC president Sheikh Salman entering the race.
If he were to stand, his candidacy could potentially influence Asian associations that currently support Infantino.
Why the November Deadline Matters
The election is still months away, but the timeline is becoming increasingly important.
Candidates have until November to announce their intention to stand.
That gives football’s major confederations a limited window to decide whether they want to challenge Infantino and, more importantly, whether they can agree on one alternative.
A unified challenger could completely change the election.
Without one, Infantino may still have a path to victory.
Could Infantino Be Forced Out Before the Election?
There is another possibility.
Infantino could potentially leave before the election if FIFA Council members attempt to force his resignation.
An emergency meeting can be called if 19 of FIFA’s 37 Council members request one.
The problem for Infantino’s opponents is that the Council itself reflects the existing confederation balance.
| Confederation | Council Members |
|---|---|
| UEFA | 9 |
| AFC | 7 |
| CAF | 6 |
| Concacaf | 5 |
| CONMEBOL | 5 |
| Oceania | 3 |
| Infantino | 1 |
| FIFA Secretary General | 1 |
Given that structure, removing Infantino before the election would appear difficult.
The more realistic battle is therefore likely to take place at the ballot box.
The Biggest Battle Is About More Than Infantino
The current dispute is not simply about one person’s future.
It reflects a broader disagreement about how world football should be governed.
Europe has historically possessed enormous influence over football’s biggest competitions and commercial revenues.
At the same time, smaller associations outside Europe have benefited from FIFA’s increased investment and development programmes.
That creates competing priorities.
For some associations, Infantino represents increased investment and global opportunities.
For others, the controversy surrounding FIFA’s proposed investment plan represents a worrying concentration of power.
That divide could determine the election.
The Current FIFA Power Struggle
| Side | Position |
|---|---|
| Infantino supporters | 73 |
| Infantino opponents | 124 |
| Undecided | 13 |
| Eligible voters | 210 |
| Majority needed | 106 |
| Confirmed challenger | None |
| Candidate deadline | November |
The numbers currently favor Infantino’s opponents, but there is a major caveat:
They still need a candidate capable of turning that opposition into votes.
Five Things to Watch Before the Election
1. Will UEFA back one challenger?
A unified European position could dramatically reshape the election.
2. Will Asia remain divided?
The AFC’s 46 votes could become the most important swing bloc.
3. What will Africa do?
Infantino’s strong relationships across CAF could protect a significant portion of his support.
4. Will Montagliani run?
The Concacaf president is already being discussed as a potential challenger.
5. Can Infantino rebuild trust?
If the current controversy fades over the coming months, some associations could return to his side.
Key Takeaways
- Gianni Infantino’s position ahead of the next FIFA presidential election has weakened dramatically.
- UEFA, Concacaf and AFC have formed an important opposition bloc.
- The current tally reportedly shows 73 associations supporting Infantino, 124 opposing him and 13 undecided.
- A candidate needs 106 votes to win a two-person election.
- Asia could become the decisive swing region.
- Several countries have already broken ranks with their confederations.
- Victor Montagliani is among the names being discussed as a potential challenger.
- Infantino could theoretically face an attempt to force his resignation before the election.
- The deadline for presidential candidates to declare is in November.
Final Thoughts
Gianni Infantino entered the summer looking almost untouchable.
He now faces the most serious political challenge of his presidency.
The abandoned investment proposal has exposed divisions that were previously difficult to see, while UEFA, Concacaf and AFC have demonstrated that opposition to FIFA’s current leadership is becoming increasingly organized.
Yet removing an incumbent is one thing.
Finding a candidate capable of uniting more than 100 football associations is another.
The next few months will therefore be crucial. If Infantino’s opponents can unite behind a single candidate, the FIFA presidential election could become one of the biggest power struggles football has seen in years.
For now, one thing is certain: Infantino is no longer simply preparing for another term. He is fighting to keep it.
