Arab federations back Infantino ahead of FIFA vote

Six national football federations from the Arab world have issued a public statement backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, offering him political support as pressure mounts ahead of next year’s presidential election. The joint declaration was released on August 13, 2026, by the federation leaders of Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Mauritania.

The signatories said they have confidence in Infantino’s leadership, placing themselves on the side of the FIFA president at a moment when internal divisions are widening. The endorsement comes as calls for Infantino to resign have intensified in the run-up to the March election.

Commercial rights plan triggers governance dispute

Infantino has faced growing opposition since a plan The dispute stems from a commercial proposal that was ultimately abandoned. Infantino has faced growing opposition since a plan to sell 20 percent of commercial rights connected to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, failed to proceed. According to the details described in reports, the proposal targeted about $4.2 billion from private investors. The stated purpose was to raise additional funding for FIFA member associations. Three major confederations demand resignation Opposition hardened after three of FIFA’s key regional confederations rejected the plan: UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF. Those confederations have since formally called for Infantino’s resignation, according to reports.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The combined membership of UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF totals 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations. That count suggests the bloc pushing for his departure can point to a numerical majority within FIFA’s overall membership.

Why the six-federation statement carries weight

Even with that apparent advantage for the opposition, the endorsement by the six Arab federations highlights a more fragmented political map going into the March vote. Officials noted that the impact of the statement is strengthened by the roles some of the signatories hold inside FIFA’s governance structure.

Four of the six federations backing Infantino have representatives on the FIFA Council, a factor that can increase their leverage in internal decision-making. The statement therefore carries significance beyond the number of federations signing it.

March election approaches with support still unclear

Infantino’s position now depends on whether he can maintain and expand backing outside the largest confederation groupings, particularly among smaller confederations, before members vote in March. The failed investment plan has become a central test of whether he can retain trust across FIFA’s diverse network of associations.

While the August 13 statement provides visible support, the election outcome remains uncertain. That uncertainty reflects the formal resignation demands already made by UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, as well as the fact that the direction of wider voting support across FIFA’s membership is still unclear ahead of the presidential election next year.