UEFA Withdraws Confidence in Infantino After FIFA Plan Scrapped

UEFA has formally declared that it no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, intensifying a governance dispute at the top of world football. The statement was issued on Saturday, a day after Infantino said the FIFA Future Enterprise plan would not go ahead following significant international backlash.

The shelved proposal involved selling minority stakes in World Cup-related events to private investors. UEFA officials said the initiative raised concerns about opaque decision-making and insufficient transparency around the potential privatization of major football assets.

UEFA attacks the process behind the FIFA Future Enterprise plan In its statement, UEFA criticised what it described as “secret schemes on fast track timescales” and said established consultation routes were bypassed. UEFA portrayed the proposal as a back-room deal and argued that it did not reflect the governance standards it expects from FIFA leadership.

UEFA also linked its criticism to commitments it said Infantino made during the 2016 presidential election campaign. The confederation pointed to promises on transparency and the principle of using FIFA’s money for football development, saying those pledges were not being upheld.

UEFA said the dispute was not limited to Europe, adding that “the current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family.” FIFA did not announce any replacement plan in the material provided, leaving uncertainty over how leadership intends to rebuild support among key stakeholders.

Election pressure rises ahead of March 18

The clash lands as Infantino approaches the March 18 election, where he had previously been expected to run unopposed. UEFA’s move, combined with the reversal on the investment plan, adds political strain at a sensitive moment for FIFA’s internal calendar.

While the withdrawal of the FIFA Future Enterprise plan has been framed as a tactical retreat, the fallout has fuelled discussion about whether challengers might emerge. Industry conversations have mentioned Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi as possible candidates.

Beyond personalities, the dispute has sharpened calls for changes to FIFA’s decision-making structures, with supporters of reform arguing that member associations need stronger accountability mechanisms. The situation also highlights a key unknown: whether FIFA’s governance approach will shift in a way that addresses the consultation and transparency complaints raised by major confederations.

AFC echoes demands for timely and transparent consultation

The Asian Football Confederation also reacted after FIFA scrapped its plans. Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said any initiative affecting global football should be discussed with confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations, and other stakeholders “in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.”

UEFA, for its part, is advocating that FIFA use its substantial reserves to support grassroots initiatives rather than seeking external capital arrangements that could be seen as dilutive. Together, the reactions from UEFA and the AFC underline a broader push among major football bodies for more consultative governance and a longer process of rebuilding trust.