FIFA Power Struggle Reaches Caribbean as Infantino Courts Support

The growing power struggle inside FIFA has reached the Caribbean, with President Gianni Infantino attending a Caribbean Football Union gathering in the Dominican Republic accompanied by senior FIFA officials, despite a request from Canadian Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani to reconsider his presence.

Montagliani had warned that Infantino’s attendance could shift attention away from the CFU Under-14 tournament and toward the governance crisis surrounding FIFA. Infantino nevertheless travelled to Punta Cana, where he met football and political officials from across the region.

According to The Guardian, Infantino was joined by a significant FIFA delegation, including Secretary General Mattias Grafström, while FIFA officials held individual discussions with member associations and announced previously delayed development projects in the Caribbean. The meetings come as support among national federations becomes increasingly important ahead of FIFA’s 2027 presidential election.

The tensions intensified following controversy over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which sought outside investment in a company linked to FIFA’s commercial rights. The project was abandoned earlier this month after opposition from senior football bodies, including Concacaf, UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation.

Montagliani has emerged as one of the leading critics of Infantino’s leadership. Concacaf has joined UEFA and the AFC in raising concerns about FIFA governance, while several Caribbean and regional associations remain important in determining where support for Infantino stands.

The dispute has also gained greater significance in Canada. Montagliani is Canadian and a former president of Canada Soccer, while Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this month that he no longer had confidence in Infantino’s leadership and praised Montagliani’s record in international football.