UEFA has signaled that it may pursue legal avenues, including arbitration and formal regulatory complaints, in response to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's aborted plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. In a letter dated 31 July addressed to Infantino, the European governing body warned that it is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" concerning the failed transaction.
The correspondence also cautioned senior FIFA officials not to destroy any documentation that could become essential evidence in any future litigation. The warning comes amid a growing crisis of confidence in Infantino's leadership following the botched attempt to commercialise World Cup assets. The English Football Association, which had previously backed Infantino's re‑election bid, is now preparing to retract that support. The FA intends to send a formal letter withdrawing its earlier endorsement, a move that reflects a coordinated European effort to pressure the FIFA chief into stepping down as quickly as possible.
The Welsh FA was the first national association to publicly withdraw its backing for Infantino's candidacy, and the Swedish FA followed suit on the subsequent Monday. These withdrawals are expected to be the first of many similar statements that will likely emerge over the next few days, all designed to amplify the pressure on the FIFA president.
Despite the mounting opposition, Infantino has so far shown no indication that he will resign. Instead, he has been seeking to shore up his position by courting federations that remain loyal, primarily those in Africa, Asia and South America. Even if he manages to survive the immediate storm, analysts predict that he will face at least one serious challenger at the FIFA presidential election scheduled to take place in Morocco in March. A spokesperson for the United States government has denied a New York Post report that claimed Infantino was scheduled to speak with U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday in an effort to preserve his job. Rubio had attended the opening match of the World Cup in Los Angeles alongside Infantino in June. The Post also alleged that Infantino had been attempting, without success, to reach former President Donald Trump by phone since the previous Friday. Both claims have been refuted by official sources.
Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris provided analysis, describing the recent UEFA statements as part of a broader strategy to build momentum and force Infantino out of office. He noted that a previous announcement, which called for a boycott of the World Cup by European nations, failed to achieve the desired effect, and that the latest UEFA communiqué also fell short of compelling Infantino to act. Harris highlighted the significance of the Football Association (FA) and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) because they each control two of the eight votes on the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a body that governs the Laws of the Game. According to Harris, Infantino has not offered any meaningful contrition or pledged reforms to prevent similar controversies in the future.
He has not addressed the secretive nature of the sell‑off plan, nor has he assured the global football community that such private dealings will be avoided. Nonetheless, Infantino continues to enjoy support from several regions, notably Africa, the Middle East, Qatar, and Morocco.
He appears to be mobilising political allies worldwide, seeking to demonstrate that he still commands a coalition of backers willing to defend his agenda. The withdrawal of support by the FA and FAW is viewed as a decisive turning point. While the FA had previously signalled continued backing for Infantino’s re‑election, the recent reversal suggests that the final straw has been reached.
Observers are now watching to see whether a formal vote of no confidence will be triggered, whether Infantino will concede to the pressure and resign, or whether he will attempt to ride out the crisis until the March election. The last time a FIFA president was forced out under similar circumstances was in 2015, when Sepp Blatter resigned amid scandal. The original proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion) from external investors by selling minority, non‑controlling stakes in the new commercial vehicle. FIFA valued the enterprise at roughly $20 billion (£15 billion) and claimed that, if approved by member associations, the deal could generate more than $10 billion in football‑development funding over a four‑year period.
The plan was intended to fund grassroots programmes, infrastructure projects and other initiatives across the sport. Critics argue that the sell‑off would have handed significant financial power to private investors, potentially compromising the sport’s integrity.
They also point out that the process lacked transparency and that many national associations were not adequately consulted before the proposal was presented. Among the potential challengers to Infantino’s leadership are several high‑profile figures.
Nasser Al‑Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint‑Germain and a powerful member of the UEFA executive committee, has been mentioned in speculation, though he has publicly denied any interest in replacing Infantino. Another possible contender is Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al‑Khalifa, who finished second in the 2015 FIFA presidential election and currently serves as president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He has openly opposed the FFE sell‑off plan.
Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, is also a name that surfaces in discussions. Although CONCACAF nations hosted matches during the recent World Cup, Montagliani’s federation rejected the FFE proposal on Thursday, aligning itself with the growing European dissent.
Perhaps the most prominent alternative is Aleksander Čeferin, the current UEFA president. Čeferin has advocated for a different vision of football governance, emphasizing transparency, reduced commercialisation, and a focus on the sport’s core values.
Under Čeferin’s leadership, many of the controversial practices associated with Infantino—such as excessive commercial breaks, the FIFA Peace Prize, and the use of private jets for the president—might be eliminated. However, Čeferin has not publicly expressed a desire to run for the FIFA presidency.
In summary, Gianni Infantino faces an unprecedented wave of opposition from multiple quarters: European football associations, regional confederations, and even some of his traditional allies. While he continues to seek support from Africa, the Middle East and certain Gulf states, the coordinated withdrawal of backing by key UEFA members and national associations could prove decisive.
The upcoming FIFA election in Morocco will be closely watched, as it may determine whether Infantino can retain his position or whether a new era of leadership will emerge for world football.