FIFA rules leave Gianni Infantino vulnerable to challenge backed by 43 member nations

A motion of no confidence against FIFA president Gianni Infantino would require the support of 43 member nations, according to an investigation by The Times.

FIFA’s statutes allow 20% of its member associations to call for such a motion, which could then be considered at an extraordinary congress. With all UEFA member countries understood to be united on the issue, the figure of 43 votes is regarded as a realistic possibility.

A successful motion would not force Infantino to resign immediately. However, it would significantly weaken the position of the Swiss-Italian president and could increase pressure on him within world football’s governing body.

If member nations sought to intensify that pressure, a rival candidate could stand against Infantino in the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 2027.

No challenger has declared an intention to run so far. But The Times reported that Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), could potentially emerge as candidates.

Montagliani leads CONCACAF, which governs football across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, while Sheikh Salman heads the AFC, the governing body for football in Asia.

The possibility of a challenge comes as Infantino faces increased scrutiny over FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial project that the organisation has announced but is still in the process of establishing.

The initiative is intended to generate additional financial resources for FIFA’s member associations. Its stated purpose is to create further funding that can benefit the nations belonging to the governing body.

Critics have questioned whether Infantino himself could also benefit from the enterprise. FIFA responded to those concerns on Friday, although the source article did not provide details of that response.

The prospect of a no-confidence motion offers FIFA member associations a formal route to challenge the president’s authority without requiring an immediate presidential election. The proposal would need the backing of 43 countries before it could proceed to an extraordinary congress.

Infantino has not been removed from office and no rival has yet entered the 2027 presidential race. Nevertheless, the rules mean that a coordinated effort by a relatively limited group of member nations could put his leadership under substantial political pressure.

The potential involvement of senior continental football figures such as Montagliani and Sheikh Salman would add further significance to any future contest. For now, however, the reported possibility of a challenge remains dependent on member nations deciding whether to advance a motion and on a candidate formally coming forward.