Map reveals split among Fifa members over Infantino after World Cup sale plan
Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, has seen his previously secure position at the head of world football come under significant pressure after two weeks of fallout from his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions, a reversal that has unfolded since mid-July.
BBC Sport has compiled a map of how Fifa's voting members currently appear to stand, using public statements, direct responses to the broadcaster and positions inferred from continental confederations; the map covers 210 member associations able to vote (Nepal, Fifa's 211th member, is suspended and has no voting rights). All but a handful of the 210 had earlier endorsed Infantino's bid for a fourth term, but Fifa's election rules mean a two‑candidate contest requires a simple majority of 106 votes to win, while a contest with three or more candidates needs a two‑thirds majority in the first round and, if unresolved, a simple majority in a second round. The confederation vote allocations are Europe 55, Africa 54, Asia 46, North America 35, Oceania 11 and South America 10.
At present the tally on the map reads 73 in support of Infantino, 124 opposed and 13 undecided, but BBC Sport stresses the picture is fluid. Several European associations, including England and Wales, have formally withdrawn letters of support they had previously provided for next year's election, and Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation signed a joint letter accusing Infantino and Fifa of breaking their trust "through deception", a coalition that the three regional bodies say represents 136 associations.
There are divisions within confederations: Bhutan, the Philippines and the UAE in Asia have publicly backed Infantino, while Mexico has broken ranks within Concacaf in support of him. The United States and Canada have voiced support for Concacaf's latest statement but have not declared outright opposition to Infantino, and the Oceania Football Confederation has made no public comment nor have any of its members. Separately, Donald Trump says it would be "terrible mistake" to remove Infantino.
Infantino retains notable support in Africa (Caf) and South America (Conmebol), regions that the article says have benefited from unprecedented investment since he took over a decade ago; the Fifa Forward programme has made billions of dollars available for investment and is cited as a factor that could influence votes from associations that have received funding. Caf president Patrice Motsepe is named as a key ally, and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has been mooted as a potential challenger.
An emergency Fifa Council meeting to seek Infantino's resignation can be called if 19 of the 37 council members request it, and such a meeting must take place within a fortnight; the council comprises nine members from Uefa, seven from the AFC, six from Caf, five from Concacaf, five from Conmebol and three from Oceania, and also includes Infantino and Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom. The article notes that the composition of the council affects the likelihood of that route being pursued.
Nobody has yet declared a candidacy to oppose Infantino, and the deadline to announce an intention to stand is November; the map of voting intentions is therefore likely to change in the months ahead depending on whether a unity challenger emerges and on forthcoming national and confederation decisions.
