For the First Time in FIFA’s 122-Year History, Moves Begin Toward No-Confidence Vote Against Infantino

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published August 20, 2026

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Three of world football’s most powerful regional confederations are considering a move toward a vote of no confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in an unprecedented challenge to his leadership of the global governing body. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF are discussing the possibility, according to senior figures familiar with the talks.

Reuters said it could find no previous instance in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress holding a formal no-confidence vote against a sitting president, meaning that any such move against Infantino would take the organization into largely uncharted territory.

The growing opposition follows controversy over Infantino’s proposal to bring private investors into FIFA by selling a stake linked to the commercial rights of the World Cup and other competitions. The proposal was eventually abandoned after widespread criticism over transparency, governance and the way the project had been handled.

Under FIFA’s statutes, an Extraordinary Congress can be called if at least one-fifth of the organization’s 211 member associations submit a written request. That means at least 43 associations would be required to trigger the process. Each member association has one vote at Congress.

FIFA’s statutes do not specifically set out a procedure for a no-confidence vote against its president. However, they generally provide for decisions to be made by a simple majority of valid votes cast, creating uncertainty over exactly how an unprecedented attempt to remove a sitting president would proceed.

Pressure on Infantino has also intensified after senior figures within world football withdrew their support. FIFA Vice-President and Hungarian Football Federation President Sandor Csanyi said he had lost confidence in Infantino, while several national associations have also distanced themselves from his re-election bid.

Infantino, however, continues to receive backing from influential sections of the football world, including the Confederation of African Football and the South American confederation, while several Arab football associations have publicly supported him.

The FIFA president intends to seek another term at the presidential election scheduled for March 2027, but no rival candidate has yet emerged capable of uniting his opponents. The nomination deadline is expected in November, leaving the battle over FIFA’s leadership increasingly open in the months ahead.