UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have jointly denounced what they describe as "deception" and a "fundamental breach of trust" surrounding Gianni Infantino’s ill‑fated attempt to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup. The three continental bodies released an open letter on Monday addressed to the "football family," deliberately avoiding a direct mention of Infantino but clearly referring to a leader who "abandoned their duty" by breaking trust "through deception." In a three‑page statement the confederations reiterated their criticism of the president’s World Cup‑sale proposal and rejected FIFA’s narrative that the episode was merely a "mistake." They wrote: "There remains no recognition that attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a profound failure of judgement – not just a procedural misstep, but a fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve." All three organisations had already opposed Infantino’s plan before it was officially scrapped, and UEFA went a step further by announcing a boycott of FIFA competitions. The boycott was reaffirmed last week, with UEFA indicating that the threat would persist as long as Infantino remains in office.
The letter also took aim at the recent FIFA Management Committee meeting held in Morocco. That gathering concluded with a public endorsement of Infantino, yet the confederations argued that the meeting should have been used to confront FIFA’s senior leadership in its Swiss headquarters instead.
"It is not the conduct of a custodian of the game, but of one who believes the game is answerable to him," the letter read. "There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness." US Soccer and Canada Soccer – two of the three federations that co‑hosted the 2026 World Cup – also called for substantial reforms. A US Soccer statement declared: "US Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability." The joint missive arrived roughly 24 hours after FIFA itself accused certain parties of mounting "a concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine the governing body and its president over allegations linked to Infantino’s conduct at UEFA. UEFA confirmed on Saturday that a "departure payment" had been made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino when he served as UEFA’s general secretary.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the woman received a six‑figure sum plus reimbursement for an MBA programme, a payment UEFA said was "in line" with the regulations that existed at the time. The report intensified scrutiny of Infantino, who spent 16 years at UEFA, including a tenure as general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before being elected FIFA president. His aborted plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors has become a focal point for critics seeking his removal. While FIFA’s response did not directly address UEFA’s payment claim, the organization accused Infantino’s detractors of trying to weaken his authority and push him out without a proper re‑election process.
A FIFA statement read: "It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president. Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes." The statement continued, "Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.
The FIFA president has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football." FIFA added that while change inevitably challenges entrenched interests, disagreement with that change does not justify attempts to undermine the democratic mandate of its president or the institution he was elected to lead. "FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny.
But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress," the statement asserted. "Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously." The governing body emphasized its responsibility to 211 member associations and to football worldwide, pledging not to be diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for its members and making the sport truly global.
"Through the FIFA president and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it," the statement concluded. Following the Telegraph’s claims, a FIFA spokesperson reportedly told the newspaper that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations." UEFA, for its part, confirmed the departure payment and MBA fee coverage, noting that the rules governing such payouts have been tightened since 2016 and that current staff regulations now reflect standards expected of a modern, high‑profile organisation.
Sky Sports News analyst Kaveh Solhekol offered his perspective, stating, "My feeling is, he is finished. It is only a matter of time before he goes.
I don't say that because of the letter. There are many countries in Asia that still back him.
There are countries in CONCACAF that still back him; Mexico made a statement saying they still back him. He still has support.
But he can't function because he doesn't have the support of everyone at FIFA. Does he have the support of Arsène Wenger, the FIFA council or people within his own administration?
I don't think so." Solhekol added that Infantino appears to be trying to project "business as usual," yet the mounting pressure makes his resignation increasingly likely. He warned that if Infantino refuses to step down, UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC might convene an emergency meeting to force his removal, though such a move would be risky because Infantino could still command enough votes to survive a no‑confidence motion. "That is why there has not been an emergency meeting yet; they have to be sure they have the numbers to win that vote," Solhekol concluded.
The unfolding saga underscores a deepening crisis within world football’s hierarchy, as continental confederations, national federations and even media commentators question the legitimacy of Infantino’s leadership and call for a thorough overhaul of FIFA’s governance structures.