Three of football's six continental governing bodies have publicly opposed FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to privatise the World Cup, according to Al Jazeera. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF have all issued statements criticising the plan and calling for Infantino to resign.
The pushback comes amid growing division within global football's leadership. Al Jazeera reports that the three confederations have hit out at Infantino over the privatisation initiative, which would apparently restructure how the tournament is financed and governed. The BBC has also mapped the split, showing which regions support Infantino and which oppose him.
The Guardian adds that UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC are not only demanding Infantino's departure but have begun discussing rival competitions as an alternative to FIFA's current structure. UEFA has published an open letter to the football family, signalling its intent to rally opposition beyond just the three confederations.
The dispute has drawn attention from outside the sport as well. ESPN reports that former US President Donald Trump has warned that replacing Infantino would be a "terrible mistake," adding a political dimension to the internal FIFA power struggle.
The conflict marks one of the most serious challenges to Infantino's leadership since he took office. The involvement of three major confederations suggests the opposition is coordinated and substantial, not merely a minor disagreement. Their willingness to explore rival competitions indicates they are prepared to escalate the dispute beyond public statements.
What to watch next is whether the remaining confederations—CONMEBOL, CAF, and the OFC—side with Infantino or join the opposition, as that will likely determine whether the privatisation plan proceeds or collapses.
