In a week that dramatically altered the landscape of FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino, significant developments unfolded leading up to the World Cup final. Infantino had planned to announce a controversial initiative to sell a stake in FIFA competitions to private investors, including Joshua Kushner, during a high-profile event at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Infantino's Confidence and Controversies

On the eve of this announcement, Infantino mingled with influential figures, including the U.S. president, at Trump Tower. He characterized the upcoming 2026 World Cup as “the greatest human, social and cultural event mankind has ever witnessed.” His confidence was bolstered by claims of support from over 200 of the 211 member federations for his re-election in 2027, with backing from the African, Asian, and South American confederations. Despite ongoing scandals surrounding visa rejections and investigations into FIFA’s ticketing practices, the World Cup generated $15 billion (£11 billion) in revenue, which seemed to silence some of his critics. Infantino even chose to forgo the traditional closing press conference, further indicating his belief in his secure position.

A Shift in Sentiment

However, just days later, Infantino's situation took a sharp turn. After announcing the termination of the FIFA Forward Enterprise, his critics remained unsatisfied. UEFA accused him of engaging in a “shabby, backroom deal” and expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership, stating that FIFA's leadership had “not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family.” Concacaf echoed these sentiments, asserting that FIFA had “stopped putting football first” and called for a thorough reassessment of Infantino's presidency.

Amidst this turmoil, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, who is also a FIFA vice-president, is reportedly contemplating a challenge to Infantino's leadership. With nominations due by November for the upcoming spring elections, speculation is rife about potential candidates. Sources within UEFA suggest that any new leadership contender might emerge from outside Europe, with the European governing body potentially uniting behind a consensus candidate.

The rapid decline of Infantino’s standing within FIFA highlights the precarious nature of his presidency and the growing discontent among football's governing bodies. As the situation evolves, the future of FIFA and its leadership remains uncertain.