**Mexico, Argentina Back Infantino as FIFA Fight Rages On**
In a significant display of support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the football associations of Mexico and Argentina have publicly backed his leadership amid a growing backlash over a controversial proposal that sought to sell off some commercial rights to the World Cup. This proposal has since been abandoned, but it has sparked a wave of criticism and calls for accountability from various football federations.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), which co-hosted the recently concluded World Cup, has notably diverged from the stance of its regional confederation, CONCACAF. While CONCACAF has called for a “comprehensive reckoning” regarding Infantino’s presidency, the FMF has expressed its unwavering support for the FIFA chief. In a statement, the FMF emphasized its commitment to the institutional framework of FIFA and endorsed Infantino’s call for the collective development of football across its 211 member associations.
The support for Infantino is not isolated to Mexico. Argentina’s football association (AFA) also reaffirmed its backing in a letter addressed to Infantino. The AFA praised FIFA’s efforts over the past decade, highlighting the organization’s focus on global football development and its commitment to a transparent governance model. While acknowledging that the recent proposal had generated more uncertainties than certainties, the AFA insisted that the path forward should involve continued collaboration under FIFA’s leadership as the organization approaches its Congress in Morocco next March.
The controversy surrounding the commercial rights proposal has cast a shadow over Infantino’s bid for reelection for a fourth term, which had previously appeared to be a formality. Despite the backlash, no clear challenger to Infantino has emerged as of yet, and he continues to enjoy significant support from various football associations, including the AFA and CONMEBOL, which rejected any attempts to oust him without a vote from all member associations.
In a recent meeting held in Rabat, FIFA officials acknowledged the mistakes made regarding the proposal and extended apologies to member associations. The organization has pledged to review the processes that led to the controversy, aiming to restore confidence among its members.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also shown its support for Infantino, unanimously backing his leadership. In contrast, UEFA, the governing body for European football, has maintained its commitment to boycotting the World Cup and other FIFA competitions, aligning itself with CONCACAF in its stance. Asia’s football confederation has expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, further complicating the landscape for Infantino.
The fallout from the proposal has led to a rift among national associations. The Croatian Football Federation, for instance, has withdrawn its support for Infantino, citing a thorough reassessment of recent developments related to the FIFA World Cup 2026. This decision reflects a broader trend of dissent among some national federations, including those from England and Albania.
Players' union FIFPRO has been vocal in its criticism, labeling Infantino’s proposal not only a governance failure but also a “profound abuse of presidential power.” FIFA, however, has defended its actions, asserting that all measures taken regarding the commercial rights proposal were in compliance with its regulations. The organization has clarified that the issues stemmed from procedural mistakes and communication lapses rather than any breaches of governance rules.
As the situation unfolds, the dynamics within FIFA and its member associations continue to evolve. The upcoming Congress in March will be a pivotal moment for Infantino, as he seeks to solidify his position amidst the ongoing challenges and criticisms. The support from Mexico and Argentina may bolster his chances, but the dissent from other federations indicates a fractured landscape that could impact the future of FIFA leadership and governance.