Six Arab Federations Support FIFA President Infantino Amid Backlash
On August 13, 2026, the leaders of six Arab football federations publicly endorsed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is currently facing backlash over his proposed World Cup private investment plan. The federations backing Infantino include Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, and Sudan, with four of them being FIFA council members.
The statement from the federations emphasized their confidence in Infantino's leadership and acknowledged his efforts to promote football globally. They expressed a desire to continue collaborating with him to enhance the contributions of Arab football to the international stage.
This support comes as Infantino recently withdrew a controversial $20 billion proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors, following significant opposition from global football officials, including UEFA. Several football associations, including those from Ireland, England, and Wales, have retracted their support for Infantino's re-election, citing concerns over governance and transparency within FIFA.
