Watch: Why Fifa dropped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, finds himself at the center of a storm that began with a controversial proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. The plan, initially unveiled on Tuesday, was quickly condemned by football authorities across the globe, culminating in a dramatic reversal by Infantino on Saturday. Despite the collapse of the proposal, the fallout continues, with multiple football confederations and member associations expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership. Uefa, the most influential of these, has threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions unless Infantino ensures such moves are never repeated, marking a significant challenge to his tenure. The situation escalated rapidly, with Uefa delivering a sharp rebuke to Infantino, stating it had lost confidence in his leadership. The European football governing body, which represents 55 member associations, has taken a hard stance, asserting that the proposed sale of stakes in major tournaments was a "shabby, back-room, opaque deal." This accusation has fueled demands for a thorough review of FIFA's leadership and governance structures. Similarly, Concacaf, the confederation responsible for organizing the 2026 World Cup alongside Infantino, has called for a "full review" of FIFA's leadership, highlighting the extent of the backlash. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which has historically supported Infantino, has also shown signs of unease, with several member associations distancing themselves from the controversial proposal. While some AFC nations remain loyal to Infantino, others have begun to question the direction of FIFA under his leadership. This division within the AFC underscores the broader challenges facing Infantino as he navigates the complex landscape of international football governance. Infantino's position has been further weakened by the departure of two of his closest allies, Carlos Cordeiro, his senior adviser, and Kevin Lamour, his chief operating officer. Both men resigned in protest over the FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) plan, signaling a loss of internal support. Their departures have not only diminished Infantino's influence within FIFA but also cast doubt on his ability to manage the organization effectively during a period of intense scrutiny. The path to Infantino's removal is fraught with procedural hurdles. One possible avenue is an emergency meeting of the FIFA Council, which requires 19 out of 37 members to call for one. Given the distribution of power among the confederations, achieving this threshold seems challenging. Uefa, with nine members, is the largest single bloc, but even combined with the AFC's seven members, the number falls short. Should the meeting occur, it could potentially demand Infantino's resignation, though he may refuse to comply, thereby prolonging the crisis. Alternatively, an extraordinary congress of the 211 FIFA member associations could be convened if 43 associations formally request it. Uefa, with its 55 members alone, holds the power to initiate such a congress. However, the process would take at least two months, and the outcome remains uncertain. For an extraordinary congress to succeed, 106 votes would be required to pass a vote of no confidence, meaning that Infantino would need to lose substantial support across multiple regions. Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino still retains a degree of support, particularly in regions such as Africa and South America. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its backing for Infantino, citing his efforts in organizing the 2026 World Cup and his commitment to improving football in Africa. This support is crucial, as it provides Infantino with a potential base of strength in the upcoming March 2027 election. However, the absence of a unified opposition candidate complicates the possibility of a swift ousting. Legal threats loom large over Infantino as well. Uefa has issued a formal notice demanding that all documents related to the FFE proposal be preserved, warning that any attempt to destroy or alter them could constitute spoliation of evidence. This legal maneuvering adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis, as it forces Infantino to navigate not only political pressures but also potential legal consequences. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further developments in the coming weeks. While Infantino has managed to retain his position for now, the combination of internal dissent, external criticism, and legal threats signals that his tenure is increasingly precarious. As the football world watches closely, the next steps in this unfolding drama will determine whether Infantino can weather the storm or whether his leadership will finally come to an end.