Rabat – The split within world football over FIFA President Gianni Infantino continued on Thursday after Mexico and Argentina publicly backed his leadership, despite growing criticism from several football organizations over FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights proposal.
Mexico’s Football Federation (FMF), one of the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supported Infantino even though its regional confederation, CONCACAF, recently called for a “comprehensive reckoning” with his presidency.
In a statement, the FMF said it would only recognize decisions made through FIFA’s official processes and backed Infantino’s efforts to develop football and strengthen FIFA’s institutions.
Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) also expressed support in a letter to Infantino. The federation said FIFA has helped develop football and improve governance over the past 10 years.
The AFA admitted that FIFA’s proposal to sell part of the commercial rights for future World Cups created uncertainty and that mistakes were made. However, it said those issues should be solved within FIFA rather than by replacing its leadership.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously supported Infantino during meetings in Rabat this week. South America’s CONMEBOL also rejected any attempt to remove the FIFA president without a vote involving all 211 member associations.
Meanwhile, UEFA has maintained its boycott of FIFA competitions, while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it stands with UEFA and CONCACAF.
Following meetings in Rabat, FIFA apologized to its members for mistakes made during the handling of the commercial rights proposal. The organization said it will review its decision-making process but insisted that no FIFA rules were broken.
The controversy has raised questions over Infantino’s campaign for a fourth term as FIFA president ahead of the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.
So far, no candidate has announced plans to challenge him, but some national federations have withdrawn their support. Croatia became the latest to do so, joining England and Albania.
Players’ union FIFPRO also criticized the proposal, calling it a governance failure and accusing Infantino of abusing presidential power.
