FIFA President Gianni Infantino is holding a critical meeting with senior FIFA officials in Morocco as fallout continues from his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.

Last week, Infantino proposed creating a new commercial rights entity and selling 20% to private investors to raise $4.2 billion. The proposal drew sharp criticism, particularly over links to a company connected to the family of US President Donald Trump. The plan was widely condemned by FIFA's member associations, with European football body UEFA accusing Infantino of compromising the integrity of the sport.

Despite Infantino withdrawing the proposal last Friday, skepticism remains. UEFA and other confederations, including CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, have expressed doubts about his leadership, threatening to disrupt FIFA operations and possibly establish rival competitions.

Inside FIFA, senior officials have voiced discontent. Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom described the events leading to the plan’s abandonment as "sad and reproachable," while Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said staff felt "deceived" by what he called a "one-person project." Additionally, Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, and FIFA’s Global Football Development head Arsene Wenger distanced himself from the initiative.

Support and Opposition Across Football Confederations

  • Infantino has found backing from many football associations outside Europe, particularly in Africa, where federations rely heavily on FIFA funding.
  • The African Football Confederation (CAF) has yet to take an official stance, though several African administrators have expressed support.
  • In contrast, UEFA, CONCACAF, and parts of the Asian Football Confederation are united in opposition and are considering extraordinary measures.
  • Some AFC members, including Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, remain loyal to Infantino.

With the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March in Morocco, Infantino faces a challenging path ahead. While a formal challenger has not emerged, opposition figures like Jordan FA President Prince Ali bin Hussein have publicly refused to endorse him, accusing FIFA of political maneuvering.

The crisis meeting at FIFA’s Africa office in Sale aims to consolidate support and navigate the coming months leading to the vote. The outcome will significantly impact the future governance of world football.