Calls for the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino are intensifying, with a growing number of football stakeholders questioning his leadership amid an escalating dispute over the governance and commercial direction of world football.
The latest crisis has brought together critics from several major football confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF.
Their opposition has emerged following Infantino’s controversial proposal involving the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, a plan that generated widespread concern over transparency, consultation and the concentration of power within the global football governing body.
The controversy has become one of the most serious challenges to Infantino’s presidency since he succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016. Critics argue that FIFA needs greater institutional accountability and a governance structure that gives national associations and continental confederations a stronger voice in major decisions.
UEFA has been particularly vocal. Its 55 member associations have backed opposition to FIFA’s disputed commercial initiative and threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
The dispute has raised the possibility of a major confrontation between European football and FIFA, with the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland among the tournaments affected by the tensions.
CONCACAF and AFC have also expressed opposition to the controversial proposal, creating an unusual coalition of influential football authorities.
Reports indicate that representatives of the three confederations are working on alternative ideas for the future governance of international football, while some officials have discussed the possibility of alternative competitions if the disagreement with FIFA continues.
The pressure has also moved beyond institutional criticism.
Former football star and former FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo has joined those calling for Infantino to leave office, while Norway’s football federation has reportedly demanded his resignation over the failed World Cup commercial plan.
The growing revolt has created an uncomfortable political calculation for Infantino, who has already announced that he intends to seek another term as FIFA president in 2027.
At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver in May 2026, Infantino told the organisation’s 211 member associations that he would stand for re-election.
However, the resistance to his leadership is not universal. African football has so far provided Infantino with important political support.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in April that its member associations unanimously agreed to support Infantino’s re-election for the 2027–2031 period.
This support highlights the complex balance of power within FIFA. While powerful European and other confederations are demanding change, Infantino continues to enjoy backing from significant parts of the developing football world.
Supporters of the FIFA president point to his administration’s expansion of international competitions, increased financial investment in football development and efforts to spread FIFA resources across its 211 member associations.
FIFA has also strongly rejected what it describes as a coordinated campaign designed to undermine the organisation and its president.
But opponents insist that the issue goes beyond the failed commercial proposal.
They argue that the controversy has exposed deeper weaknesses in FIFA’s governance system, particularly concerning transparency, consultation and the distribution of decision-making power.
FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier recently argued that the central problem facing FIFA is not simply whether Infantino should resign, but whether the organisation is capable of undertaking meaningful structural reform.
He warned that FIFA’s concentration of power and lack of adequate internal accountability could recreate the conditions that contributed to the crisis surrounding the organisation during the final years of Blatter’s presidency.
The unfolding dispute could therefore become much bigger than a leadership contest. With the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaching, the battle may determine not only whether Infantino remains in office but also what kind of institution FIFA becomes in the next decade.
For now, Infantino remains president and is preparing to defend his position. But with major confederations demanding change and critics increasingly questioning his authority, the campaign for his resignation represents one of the most significant challenges yet to his leadership of global football.
The coming months are likely to determine whether the current rebellion develops into a successful push for leadership change or becomes the catalyst for a broader restructuring of FIFA itself.
