17 July 2026
Infantino Secures 200-Country Backing Despite Scandal Cloud
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received endorsements from more than 200 member associations for a fourth term, even as controversy continues to swirl around the governing body.
Despite a turbulent backdrop involving recent scandals, Gianni Infantino has the backing of more than 200 of FIFA's member associations ahead of a vote on his re-election, according to The Guardian. The FIFA congress is set to convene in New York on Saturday, one day before the World Cup final.
The Guardian reports that the meeting, with Infantino himself at the helm, is unlikely to put recent controversies front and centre. The financial success of the World Cup, and how its revenues might be distributed to member federations, is expected to dominate proceedings instead.
UEFA has been a vocal critic of FIFA on several recent issues but, according to sources cited by The Guardian, it is uncertain whether European football's leadership will move to formally back any rival candidate. Some within that circle believe a contender drawing even 30 to 40 votes could at least force a real public debate about how FIFA is governed.
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