Zurich (GNP): Six heads of Arab national football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, have thrown their support behind Fédération Internationale de Football Association President Gianni Infantino, as the sport’s global governing body navigates a period of internal crisis following the collapse of a proposed private investment plan.
The show of support comes at a critical moment for Infantino, who is seeking reelection next year and has faced mounting pressure after three major confederations, the Union of European Football Associations, the Asian Football Confederation, and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, publicly called for him to step down. Their opposition stemmed from his now-abandoned proposal to sell off a portion of the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors.
Under the withdrawn plan, Infantino had sought to carve out the commercial rights to the tournament and sell a 20 percent stake to private investors in an effort to raise approximately $4.2 billion. The proposal had also included a $20 million grant for member associations for the upcoming funding cycle, an amount that could reportedly have doubled had the federations agreed to the deal.
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Despite the plan’s collapse and the resulting backlash, Infantino continues to retain significant support within football’s global governing structure. In a joint statement, the heads of the national federations of Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, and Mauritania affirmed the important role Arab football plays in fostering unity and cooperation, expressing confidence in Infantino’s leadership and his continued commitment to developing football worldwide. Notably, four of the six signatories also hold positions on the Fédération Internationale de Football Association Council.
The federation heads further acknowledged Infantino’s efforts to expand football opportunities across regions and strengthen the sport’s role in connecting communities, expressing intent to continue close cooperation with him toward a stronger global game and a greater contribution from Arab football on the world stage.
The opposing three confederations represent 136 of the 211 member associations that will cast votes in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association presidential election scheduled for March, meaning the outcome of Infantino’s reelection bid remains far from settled despite the backing he continues to receive from allies across the sport.
