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The closing paragraph of Gianni Infantino's statement acknowledging defeat in his ill-fated attempt to sell shares in the World Cup left a bitter taste for many observers.
"Moving forward," the FIFA president wrote, "my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support."
Many interpreted this as a thinly disguised signal that Infantino would still seek a way to deliver the financial promises his tournament privatization scheme had made to member associations, effectively undermining the very purpose of abandoning the plan. Yet the statement may yet prove to be prophetic.
Given the mounting wave of opposition directed at Infantino, the FIFA president may soon find himself confronted by all stakeholders lining up to formally declare their loss of confidence in his leadership.
Just a week ago, Infantino felt confident enough to fire back at his critics with a 15-page defense of the 2026 World Cup. "Reflect, meditate, pray or watch a football match," was the advice the Swiss executive offered to those opposing him and FIFA. He may soon need to turn to those very same coping strategies given what lies ahead.
First Nations Deliver Votes of No Confidence in Infantino
After UEFA, European football's governing body, spearheaded the opposition against Infantino, it seemed fitting that one of its member associations would be the first to formally register its loss of faith in the FIFA president.
The Welsh FA announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its backing of Infantino as a candidate for reelection as FIFA president for the 2027–31 term. "The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football," a statement read.
Wales was among more than 200 associations that had previously endorsed Infantino's candidacy before the details of his World Cup sale scheme came to light. The gradual withdrawal of those letters of support is now well underway. Martyn Ziegler of The Times, who originally broke the story and prompted a rushed official response from FIFA last week, revealed that the English FA had similarly withdrawn its endorsement of Infantino.
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham had already made his lack of confidence in FIFA's chief abundantly clear during a speech in Dover over the weekend. "I do not believe that he is the right man to lead football forward on the world stage," Burnham told reporters. "The plan that was put forward was offensive to many football people around the world, and it can't be the case that we just move on and forget that. It wasn't acceptable."
The Dutch FA also confirmed that it "no longer has confidence in his [Infantino's] leadership."
Leaked Letter Exposes Legal Threat Facing Infantino
Infantino's tenure as FIFA president is under serious threat, but the repercussions may extend well beyond his position.
UEFA issued a strongly worded letter threatening Infantino, FIFA, and the other central figures behind the plan to sell off the commercial rights to future World Cups with legal action, as reported by The Telegraph.
Joshua Kushner, the brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, also received written notice that UEFA is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" due to his role as founder of Thrive Eternal, the fund FIFA had identified as the lead investor to acquire shares in the new entity Infantino had planned to establish.
U.S. bank J.P. Morgan, consultancy firm OpenEconomics, and Greg Maffei, CEO of BANN Ventures and former president and CEO of Liberty Media during its takeover of Formula One, all of whom were named by FIFA in its initial press release, are also believed to have received UEFA's letter.
European football's governing body demanded that all parties "take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this notice that are in your or FIFA's possession, custody, or control.
"Given that proceedings are reasonably anticipated, you are obliged to preserve all relevant materials with immediate effect."
Arsène Wenger, the celebrated former Arsenal manager who currently serves as FIFA's chief of global football development, was also named despite having made no public comment on the scheme. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström and COO Kevin Lamour, who publicly criticized Infantino for "deceiving" numerous colleagues with the plan, were also included.
What Would It Take for Gianni Infantino to Be Dethroned?
An emergency FIFA congress can be convened to initiate a collective vote of no confidence in Infantino if letters are submitted by 43 associations. UEFA alone has 55 members, meaning it could theoretically be preparing for exactly that scenario.
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It is widely believed that any candidate with a realistic chance of succeeding Infantino would need to come from a confederation outside Europe while still securing UEFA's backing. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered one of the most credible contenders, and the emergence of a single strong opposing figure could be enough to persuade Infantino to step aside voluntarily.
However, The Athletic is among several outlets reporting that Infantino has been privately lobbying individual member associations in an effort to shore up his support base. Qatar and Morocco have notably continued to back the current incumbent even amid the widespread global backlash.