Six Arab federations voice support for Infantino in Doha amid revolt over World Cup plan
Six Arab football federations expressed their "full support" and "confidence" in FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Doha on Thursday (August 13, 2026) as he seeks to retain his position amid a backlash over his World Cup private investment proposal.
Infantino has faced mounting opposition after proposing to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors; he withdrew the $20 billion proposal following a furious reaction from global football officials, including UEFA, which warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events. UEFA joined CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation in issuing an open letter on Monday (August 10) that described the plan as a "fundamental breach of trust" and called it "deception."
The six Arab football association chiefs issued a joint statement saying: "We, the undersigned leaders of our respective football associations, express our full support for Mr. Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and continued commitment to the development of football worldwide," the statement read. "We deeply appreciate Infantino's sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game's role in bringing people and communities together." The statement added that the signatories "look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, expanding opportunities and further enhancing Arab football's contribution to the global game."
The backing came from Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan, and four of the six signatories are FIFA council members. The four council members named were Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya; the other two signatories were Lebanese Football Association president Hashem Haidar and Moatasem Gafar, president of the Sudan Football Association.
By expressing support for Infantino, Qatar and Lebanon positioned themselves at odds with the Asian Football Confederation, the article noted. Infantino's official Instagram account has previously posted letters of support from several member federations, including Morocco, Qatar and the UAE.
Several other national associations have withdrawn their backing for Infantino: the Football Association of Ireland said it had withdrawn its support for Infantino to be re-elected in March, stating that "recent events have raised significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation." England and Wales withdrew their support last week, Northern Ireland backed UEFA's stance, and New Zealand Football on Friday (August 14) local time said it had withdrawn its support and was seeking an independent review of steps taken to develop the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, saying it "formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust."
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and, the piece said, had seemed certain to be re-elected unopposed next year in Morocco; FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.