A bruising 24 hours – what next for Fifa and under-pressure Infantino?

Gianni Infantino entered the week as Fifa’s unassailable president, only to face a collapse in confidence that now threatens his tenure. Within 24 hours, his plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors without prior consultation triggered a rebellion across football’s governing bodies. Uefa, Concacaf and even Infantino’s former allies in the Asian Football Confederation have distanced themselves, while his senior advisers have deserted him. The question now is whether Infantino can survive the fallout—or if his presidency is reaching its final chapter.

How the crisis unfolded

Infantino’s position appeared unassailable on Tuesday morning, but his attempt to sell commercial rights to Fifa competitions without broader approval set off a chain reaction. By Thursday, Uefa had issued its most severe threat yet: a boycott of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup. European football’s governing body has rarely wielded such leverage, and it senses a rare opportunity to force Infantino from office.

Concacaf, the confederation that worked closely with Infantino to organise the 2026 World Cup, escalated the pressure by demanding a full review of Fifa’s leadership. Even the Asian Football Confederation, long seen as a reliable ally, distanced itself. The defections deepened when two of Infantino’s closest advisers—senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour—abandoned him. After Infantino backtracked in the early hours of Saturday, Uefa delivered its most damning blow yet: it had lost confidence in his leadership.

What happens next?

Infantino’s immediate future hinges on whether he can retain enough support to survive. The quickest route to his exit would be his own resignation, following the path taken by his predecessor Sepp Blatter in 2015. Alternatively, he could attempt to hold out until March, when he is up for re-election for a fourth and final term. But the clock is ticking.

Another option is an emergency meeting of the Fifa Council, triggered if 19 of its 37 members call for one. Uefa holds nine votes, the AFC seven, Concacaf five, Africa six, Conmebol five, and Oceania three, with Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom completing the total. While the threshold is achievable in theory, BBC Sport understands there are doubts over whether the necessary 19 votes can be secured. If they are, the meeting must take place within seven days of the request.

The power struggle intensifies

The crisis exposes deep fractures within Fifa’s leadership. Infantino’s plan to sell competition stakes was reportedly conducted without consultation, a move that undermined trust across the organisation. Uefa’s threat of a boycott sends a clear signal: European football is prepared to escalate if Infantino remains in charge. Concacaf’s call for a full review suggests broader discontent, while the AFC’s shift away from Infantino removes a key regional ally.

The loss of Cordeiro and Lamour, two of Infantino’s most trusted advisers, weakens his inner circle at a critical moment. Their departures signal that even those closest to him no longer believe in his ability to lead. Uefa’s statement that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership is the most direct challenge yet, and it raises the stakes for the Fifa Council’s potential emergency meeting.

Infantino’s fate will be decided in the coming days. If he cannot rally sufficient support, his presidency may collapse before March. But if he survives, the damage to Fifa’s credibility will linger. Football’s governing body has weathered crises before, yet this rebellion cuts deeper, driven by a loss of trust rather than isolated scandals. The next 48 hours will determine whether Infantino can reclaim control—or if his presidency is over.