Infantino says he has support of 'vast, vast majority'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Saturday that he retains the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of the sport's member associations, dismissing speculation regarding his potential resignation. The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator made these remarks during a BBC interview conducted at the Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan. He asserted that his mandate derives from the election by 211 member associations worldwide, arguing that the democratic process requires respecting the collective will of the global membership base. Infantino is currently campaigning for a fourth term in office, with the election scheduled for March next year. The president’s confidence appears bolstered by recent shifts in political alignment within international football bodies. On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally endorsed Infantino for another term. This endorsement marked a distinct reversal from the AFC’s stance two months prior, when the body had criticized Infantino for a breach of trust. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa declared that Asia stood united behind the FIFA chief. This support follows similar endorsements from African nations, whom Infantino cited as having backed him during a visit to Cape Verde. These developments contrast sharply with the opposition faced by Infantino earlier this year. Three months ago, he faced widespread calls to step down after abandoning the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The controversial plan aimed to sell approximately 20 percent of the shares in a newly created commercial subsidiary to private investors. The value of this entity was initially estimated at $20 billion. The initiative would have allowed outside capital to control commercial rights linked to major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal drew intense criticism from soccer leaders in Europe, North America, and Asia, leading to what is described as the most severe crisis of Infantino’s tenure. European football authorities remain largely unconvinced by Infantino’s assurances. Last week, Infantino appeared before FIFA’s ruling council in Zurich, where he apologized for "mistakes" in the handling of the secretive investment plan. Despite this concession, European delegates expressed disappointment with the outcome of the meeting, citing a perceived lack of clarity regarding future governance structures. Nations such as Germany and England have maintained their critical posture. The European Union of Football Associations (UEFA) had previously joined the AFC and CONCACAF in condemning the FFE proposal. However, the current division within CONCACAF and the AFC’s change of heart have left Europe increasingly isolated in its opposition. Infantino addressed the controversy directly during his interview, laughing off specific questions about whether he had considered resigning. He emphasized the importance of diverse viewpoints within the organization. "If we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone... then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority," he told the broadcaster. He noted that while it is acceptable to disagree, stakeholders must eventually move forward. He stated that it is ultimately up to the individual member associations to determine who they wish to see as president and how they prefer the organization to be managed. The political landscape surrounding the upcoming election highlights a scarcity of alternatives. Analysts note that the shifting alliances have exposed the absence of a viable challenger capable of unifying the disparate regions of global football. Infantino’s strategy relies heavily on consolidating support from Asia and Africa to counterbalance the entrenched resistance in Europe. The deadline for potential candidates to submit their nominations is November 18. With the election date set for March, Infantino aims to secure a term extending until 2031. The sequence of events began with the initial rollout of the FFE concept, which promised to inject fresh capital into FIFA’s finances. The backlash was immediate and cross-continental. Critics argued that selling equity in the World Cup brand violated the principles of non-commercialization established by previous administrations. Infantino subsequently withdrew the formal proposal under pressure. Since then, he has engaged in a diplomatic tour, visiting key regional hubs to rebuild consensus. His presence in Tokyo for the AFC extraordinary congress served as a pivotal moment, resulting in the public endorsement that defined his return to a position of relative strength. Reactions from within the European camp suggest skepticism persists despite the official endorsements from other continents. Delegates indicated that the apology offered in Zurich did not sufficiently address their concerns about transparency and long-term strategic direction. They viewed the withdrawal of the FFE plan as a tactical retreat rather than a fundamental shift in policy. Nevertheless, the numerical weight of the 211 associations supporting Infantino provides him with a defensive shield against procedural challenges. The focus now turns to the nomination period, where the lack of a unified opposing front may further solidify his path to re-election. Infantino’s comments underscore his reliance on the broad base of smaller and mid-sized national federations, many of which benefit from FIFA’s distribution model. By framing the debate as one of democratic legitimacy versus elite critique, he positions himself as the representative of the global majority. The upcoming weeks will test whether this coalition holds firm as the nomination deadline approaches. For now, the president projects stability, asserting that the organization has weathered the storm and is ready to proceed with its agenda. The next significant milestone remains the submission of rival candidacies, should any emerge, before the end of November.