Gianni Infantino support tracker: Who is for and against FIFA president and what he needs to retain power

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As the fallout from the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan continues to shape the immediate future of global soccer governance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a critical period of his tenure.

With opposition to his leadership growing by the day, Infantino's position in charge of the Switzerland-based non-profit has shifted from rock-solid to wobbly nearly overnight. Outrage has poured in from across the globe at Infantino's push to offer stakes in the sport's biggest events to private investment, poking holes in what appeared to be only weeks ago unilaterally unwavering support from across both FIFA leadership and membership.

A report by Sky Sports on August 4 claimed that Infantino would convene a "crisis meeting" with both supporters and critics within FIFA's senior staff to take stock of the situation, set to take place in Morocco on the following day.

As Infantino's most ardent supporter base looks to consolidate power, his most vocal critics are on the warpath to dismantle his ability to helm FIFA moving forward and erode confidence in his leadership base.

The Sporting News looks at who at this moment has voiced support for Infantino's continued position of power, and who has been vocal in their opposition of the Swiss native's ability to remain in charge.

MORE:Candidates to replace Gianni Infantino if FIFA president is pushed out

Who supports Gianni Infantino?​

CAF nations, Qatar offer backing​

The list of individual countries and international confederations to have come out in unequivocal support of Infantino has been quite small since the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy bubbled over.

Most of Infantino's support has simmered in the background. He is likely to have unwavering support from African confederation CAF, an organisation that has routinely backed FIFA presidents with a willingness to spread the wealth across the developing world.

Infantino has also garnered support from certain pockets of the Asian confederation, most notably the Qatari FA who released a statement backing the current FIFA president, claiming the FFE plan "had merit" but applauding its withdrawal "in the interest of the global football community." That statement was interesting given that prominent Qatari businessman Nasser Al Khelaifi, the current president of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly did not agree with the sentiment, according to a report by Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport.

Others who have publicly backed Infantino in recent days include UAE, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco.

CONMEBOL hedge its bets​

While it did not explicitly express support for Infantino, CONMEBOL released the softest statement of any confederation that spoke publicly on the situation. The South American confederation has developed a closer relationship with Infantino in recent years, as president Alejandro Dominguez has pushed for expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, hoping to stage more matches on South American soil before the tournament moves to main hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Instead of following the aggression displayed by UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC in the immediate wake of the FFE scandal, CONMEBOL's statement made certain verbal concessions that hinted at consideration of the plan.

For example, the statement admitted that "we understand that the development of football requires commercial and financial decisions." While other confederations flatly rejected the FFE proposal, CONMEBOL said it had "requested additional information and clarifications" about the plan, while internally initiating "a consultation process with its Member Associations and convened a meeting of its Council for the sole purpose of analyzing and evaluating the proposal with the responsibility and rigor that the subject demands."

Who has come out against Gianni Infantino?​

UEFA leads the charge​

While the outspoken support for Infantino's position of leadership has been sparse, the coalition of voices in opposition to his continued presidency has grown exponentially over the last few weeks.

In the immediate aftermath of the FFE plan being revealed, it seems that the number of Infantino's opposition grows larger every single day.

The European confederation, or UEFA, has been by far the most vocal critic of Infantino's. Led by Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA has been cold to Infantino's position over the entirety of his latest presidential term, but in recent weeks it has been further emboldened to speak out, issuing repeated statements of opposition that have left, in no uncertain terms, its position against the current FIFA president clear. UEFA even asked its 55 member nations to issue letters of opposition to Infantino, withdrawing previous statements of support.

FIFA officials consider challenge​

Alongside that, a pair of factions from within have risen up against Infantino. First is CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, who, according to multiple recent reports, has begun to position himself for his own presidential challenge in March and therefore has taken the opportunity to consolidate the North American confederation against the incumbent.

CONCACAF released a statement rejecting the FFE proposal, or at least the way in which it had been put forward, saying that it "expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process."

Additionally, a pro-European faction has developed within FIFA as Swedish secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, once part of Infantino's innermost circle, has spoken out against the president. In the aftermath of the FFE withdrawal, Grafstrom wrote in an internal email shared with media that the "sad and reproachable series of events" has caused FIFA executives to be "thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept."

AFC anger​

While not as aggressive as the UEFA or CONCACAF opposition, the Asian confederation also came out strongly against Infantino after the FFE plan was first revealed. The AFC statement expressed "disappointment that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels."

A further statement by the AFC after the FFE plan was withdrawn was more severe in tone, saying that "this moment must become a catalyst for strengthening institutional reform," an emphatic push towards change from within. Even as the confederation appeared somewhat fractured, as some Asian nations broke from the bloc and backed Infantino, it would appear the majority of the confederation has about-faced.

Jordan FA chief makes extraordinary claims​

On August 4, another outspoken voice appeared as the president of the FA in Jordan alleged the country's governing body was still awaiting outstanding payments from FIFA competitions.

In a post on social media, Ali Bin Al Hussein also claimed they had been unexpectedly taxed by the U.S. government due to being based in the country during the World Cup.

"It is clear the problem really is with leadership," Al Hussein wrote. "For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters — until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out."

Luis Figo eviscerates Infantino​

On August 5, Real Madrid and Portugal legend Luis Figo called for Infantino's resignation, increasing pressure on the FIFA president from the European contingent. "Infantino has debased the office that he promised to elevate," Figo wrote on social media. "He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve."

MORE:Detailing the tense and cold relationship between UEFA and FIFA over the last decade

What does Gianni Infantino need to remain as FIFA president?​

There are two hurdles for Infantino to clear before he can establish himself as the continued long-term head of FIFA.

First, the 56-year-old must survive the short-term crisis that has been presented by the FFE fallout. Amidst all the calls to resign, the questions about his leadership, and the noise regarding the fracture within the organisation's structure, Infantino must remain on course to continue as head of the global governing body.

Most notably, Infantino must avoid a play by UEFA and others to trigger a vote of no confidence. Should that occur, it's likely that his critics have grown loud enough that there are enough dissenters to oust him, as Ceferin and others almost surely wouldn't make that move without having the support necessary to see it through.

Second, Infantino must garner enough support for a successful re-election campaign in March. There is a presidential election scheduled for early 2027, with Infantino's current four-year term coming due. He is allowed to run one more time per FIFA statutes, before his three-term limit is reached.

At that vote, Infantino must secure re-election, warding off any challengers to his current role. A simple majority of 50 percent of the vote is required to win election, equal to 106 of the 211 member associations across the world.

With UEFA surely no longer supporting Infantino's presidency, and CONCACAF also appearing hostile to his standing, Infantino must find enough support within Africa, Asia, South America and any other dissenters to the opposition that would back his position.

The next few months will be key to determining the future of global soccer.

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