Football

The walls may be closing in on Gianni Infantino at the helm of FIFA.

In the aftermath of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many around the world had taken issue with the atmosphere of aggressive capitalism created by Infantino at the competition, but within FIFA, it appeared many were thrilled with the overwhelming financial success of the tournament.

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Then, the temperature of global football changed instantly as Infantino announced his FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan just days after the conclusion of the World Cup. This plan, which would bring multiple outside investors into peripheral World Cup ownership — not directly, but indirectly — has drawn massive backlash around the world from those within the game and those outside it.

European federation UEFA were the first to aggressively reject the proposal, stating that they would boycott all FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cup, if the plan moves forward. CONCACAF was next to issue a statement of its own, stopping short of a boycott but also rejecting the proposal. That puts 91 FIFA member associations theoretically opposed to the plan already, with other confederations yet to weigh in.

As a result, pressure has mounted on Infantino as global football opinion continues to turn against him and the toxic perception of FIFA’s leadership grows. Calls for his dismissal have increased as the FFE proposal continues to face widespread criticism. Could Infantino be forced to resign?

MORE: Tracking each response to the FIFA Forward Enterprise and whether they will boycott the World Cup

Calls for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president increase

For the most part, the loudest anti-Infantino noise has come from outside FIFA, as journalists, fans, politicians, and some club football figures call for his dismissal or resignation.

The most notable individual to say Infantino should resign was outspoken Spanish FA president Javier Tebas, who came out against the FIFA president in the wake of the World Cup final, even before the FFE plan was revealed. «Infantino should resign; his time has come,» Tebas said, while claiming FIFA’s «system is fundamentally flawed.»

British politician Nigel Farage also called for Infantino to resign his post.

Yet, there does appear to be unrest growing closer and closer to Infantino within FIFA. According to both Adam Crafton of The Athletic and Rob Harris of Sky News, some executives on the CONCACAF emergency meeting came away believing that faith had been lost in Infantino’s leadership.

«The feeling and discussion expressed among the vast majority of Concacaf members was that they are losing confidence, or have lost confidence altogether in Gianni Infantino as FIFA President,» Crafton wrote, citing a source with knowledge of the meeting.

The fact that CONCACAF expressed genuine surprise at the announcement of the FIFA Forward Enterprise was an indication that Infantino may have gone too far with his actions in this instance, angering even those close to him by keeping this plan a secret until the grand reveal. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is largely seen as a close confidant of Infantino’s, and the fact he and CONCACAF as a whole were not made aware of this is quite surprising.

MORE: All the details about Gianni Infantino’s plan to spin off World Cup investment shares

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Will Gianni Infantino resign after World Cup investment plan backfires?

As more individuals and organisations come out in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan, calls for the FIFA president to resign have continued to grow.

For most of his presidency, Infantino has been extremely well-liked within the global football governing body, as he has managed to keep nearly every faction satisfied amid conflicting interests across the world. Infantino has also been known to appease potentially disgruntled parties through his staunch efforts to increase FIFA’s coffers, a strategy that has been wildly successful.

However, this latest attempt — his most brazen by far — has put various individuals in a difficult position. Such a bold and obvious effort to increase FIFA’s wealth, as well as that of its most powerful figures, has placed the spotlight squarely on the potential beneficiaries of the plan. Infantino has made it impossible for those who follow him to do so without appearing to openly endorse the move, putting their own reputations on the line.

At this point, there has been no indication that Infantino has any intention of backing down, let alone resigning. Infantino is an incredibly confident individual, and if his recent connections to Donald Trump are any indication, he may double down if anything.

MORE: Next steps in Infantino’s controversial FFE plan to sell World Cup shares

Infantino lashes out at World Cup critics

Gianni Infantino spoke out harshly against critics of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a definitively petulant Instagram post on Sunday, July 26 which lashed out at those who were troubled by his leadership before and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

«To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception, and the joy,» Infantino raged at critics of his, «To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.

«To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.»

Infantino accused his critics of spreading discord, saying «while you divide, we unite.»

«While they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate. Our world needs love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning. While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict.

«It’s not about politics. Football is about unity, not division. Football is bigger than hate and discrimination.»

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