FIFA president Gianni Infantino is holding an emergency meeting in Morocco with senior officials as pressure mounts over his leadership. The gathering comes amid reports that Infantino has been actively lobbying Member Associations to secure backing, particularly focusing on Asian federations. Jordanian FA President Prince Ali Al Hussein has accused FIFA of using tactics that "amount to blackmail" in its efforts to gain votes.
FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger have publicly opposed Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plans, weakening his internal position. Infantino is assessing whether he still commands support from at least 106 members, a threshold seen as critical for maintaining control. Some national associations, including the Swiss FA, have requested more time or direct discussions before committing. Several delegations remain undecided, reflecting uncertainty within the organisation about the direction of the initiative and the leadership style surrounding it.
Infantino is seeking reassurance from member federations while facing public dissent from top FIFA officials over his flagship programme. That internal resistance coincides with allegations of coercive lobbying, raising questions about how much authority he still holds. If key allies delay or withdraw support, his ability to push through major reforms could collapse.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →